Home   Calendar   Holidays   Richter Scale Day

Apr26 Fun Holiday – Richter Scale Day

April 26 is Richter Scale Day. The unofficial holiday honors the life and work of American seismologist Charles Francis Richter.

Seismograph for measuring tremors.

A seismograph measures the strength and magnitude of tremors on the Richters scale.

©iStockphoto.com/Shamtor

Born on this day in 1900, Richter was the inventor of the Richter magnitude scale that measures the intensity of earthquakes.

From 1935

Known more commonly as the Richter scale, the scale was invented by Richter in 1935. It measures the magnitude of an earthquake on a logarithmic scale of 0 to 10. Each number on the scale refers to an event that is 10 times more powerful than an event with a number before it. This means an earthquake with a magnitude of 4 is 10 times stronger, and releases approximately 32 times more energy, than an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.

Modern Replacements

The Richter scale has now been replaced by more modern scales that calculate the magnitude and strength of earthquakes around the world. Despite this, the media commonly, but mistakenly, uses the term Richter scale when identifying the device that measures earthquakes.

How to Celebrate?

  • Learn more about the Richter scale and how it is used to measure the intensity of earthquakes.
  • Visit your local space or science museum to learn more about earthquakes and what causes them.
  • If you live in an earthquake-prone area, why not use to the day to run some emergency earthquake drills and ensure that your emergency supplies are up to date and easily accessible?

Did You Know…

…that earthquakes lower than 2.5 on the Richter scale are almost never felt by humans?

Richter Scale Day Observances

Fun Holiday: Richter Scale Day Observances
YearWeekdayDateName
2024Fri26 AprRichter Scale Day
2025Sat26 AprRichter Scale Day
2026Sun26 AprRichter Scale Day
2027Mon26 AprRichter Scale Day
2028Wed26 AprRichter Scale Day
2029Thu26 AprRichter Scale Day
2030Fri26 AprRichter Scale Day
2031Sat26 AprRichter Scale Day
2032Mon26 AprRichter Scale Day
2033Tue26 AprRichter Scale Day

See all Fun Holidays

Other Fun Holidays around 26 April

25 Apr

DNA Day

DNA Day on April 25 celebrates and recognizes the importance of genetics and the scientific advances made in the field of genetics.

26 Apr

Pretzel Day

Pretzel Day is a made-up holiday devoted to everyone’s favorite snack with beer – pretzels.

28 Apr

World Pinhole Photography Day

World Pinhole Photography Day on the last Sunday of April celebrates the art and science of pinhole cameras and photography.