a number assigned to a quantity, such as weight, and used as a basis of comparison for the measurement of similar quantities
4. Also called: apparent magnitude astronomy
the apparent brightness of a celestial body expressed on a numerical scale on which bright stars have a low value. Values are measured by eye (visual magnitude) or more accurately by photometric or photographic methods, and range from –26.7 (the sun), through 1.5 (Sirius), down to about +30. Each integral value represents a brightness 2.512 times greater than the next highest integral value
See also absolute magnitude, visual magnitude
5. Also called: earthquake magnitude geology
a measure of the size of an earthquake based on the quantity of energy released: specified on the Richter scale
Richter scale
Derived forms
magnitudinous (ˌmagniˈtudinous)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Latin magnitūdō size, from magnus great
Examples of 'earthquake magnitude' in a sentence
earthquake magnitude
The spatial distribution of earthquakes was dependent on earthquake magnitude.
Yanxing Li, Xiwu Luan, Yuanzhong Lu, Jinghua Zhang, Hong Liu, Sanming Luo, Feng Liu 2010, 'Global plate motion and earthquake activity', Geodesy and Geodynamicshttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674984715302093. Retrieved from DOAJ CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
The data show that water level responded more regularly with earthquake magnitude and distance than water temperature.
Jiang Haolin, Zheng Jiangrong 2011, 'Co-seismic responses of water wells in Jiangsu province to 2008 Wenchuan and 2011Japan earthquakes', Geodesy and Geodynamicshttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674984715301865. Retrieved from DOAJ CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)