Charles Francis Richter
Charles Francis Richter
Charles Francis Richterwas an American seismologist and physicist...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionScientist
Date of Birth26 April 1900
CountryUnited States of America
correct ground increase involves magnitude repeatedly represents
I repeatedly have to correct this belief. In a sense, magnitude involves steps of 10 because every increase of one magnitude represents a tenfold amplification of the ground motion. But there is no 'scale of 10' in the sense of an upper limit.
large magnitude middle produce rating relative using
For example, some stars put out large amounts of energy in the infrared part of the spectrum, so that this can produce a different relative magnitude rating than using light energy from the middle of the spectrum.
closer constant except magnitude proved scale scaling truth
What emerged, of course, was that the magnitude scale presupposed that all earthquakes were alike except for a constant scaling factor. And this proved to be closer to the truth than we expected.
apply extending great gutenberg less magnitude parts played scale usual
Incidentally, the usual designation of the magnitude scale to my name does less than justice to the great part that Dr. Gutenberg played in extending the scale to apply to earthquakes in all parts of the world.
frequently instrument itself magnitude scale visitors
There is another common misapprehension that the magnitude scale is itself some kind of instrument or apparatus. Visitors will frequently ask to 'see the scale.'
design earthquake form history motion shaking time
These are usually described in the form of a design earthquake with a time history of the motion and shaking characteristics that are expected.
affect given result site structures
We have a given site, and we have to ascertain what disturbances will affect the structures on that site as a result of an earthquake.
confusion confusing use
Lately there have been complaints that the use of the magnitude scale is confusing, or at least the reporting of magnitudes in the newspapers 'confuses the public.
distance fall may
Magnitude may be compared to the power output in kilowatts of a [radio] broadcasting station; local intensity, on the Mercalli or similar scale, is then comparable to the signal strength noted on a receiver at a given locality. Intensity, like signal strength, will generally fall off with distance from the source; it will also depend on local conditions at the point of observation, and to some extent on the conditions along the path from source to that point.
earthquakes risk trying
In every area of the world where there is earthquake risk, there are still many buildings of this type; it is very frustrating to try to get rid of them.
running earthquakes walks
I would walk - not run - to the nearest seismograph.
earthquakes three judgment
The most remarkable feature about the magnitude scale was that it worked at all and that it could be extended on a worldwide basis. It was originally envisaged as a rather rough-and-ready procedure by which we could grade earthquakes. We would have been happy if we could have assigned just three categories, large, medium, and small; the point is, we wanted to avoid personal judgments. It actually turned out to be quite a finely tuned scale.
knowledge science measurement
The laboratory routine, which involves a great deal of measurement, filing, and tabulation, is either my lifeline or my chief handicap, I hardly know which.
remembrance paradise driven
Remembrance is the only paradise out of which we cannot be driven away.