the Richter scale
noun /ðə ˈrɪktə skeɪl/
/ðə ˈrɪktər skeɪl/
[singular]- a system for measuring how strong an earthquake is
- an earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale
Word Origin1930s: named after Charles F. Richter (1900–85), American geologist.