This is very similar to astronomy where different magnitudes are assigned to the brightness of an astronomical object, depending on the range of wavelengths being measured.

Quote by Charles Francis Richter

Topics: Charles Francis Richter Quotes

I suggested that we might compare earthquakes in terms of the measured amplitudes recorded at...

I suggested that we might compare earthquakes in terms of the measured amplitudes recorded at...

My amateur interest in astronomy brought out the term 'magnitude,' which is used for the...

My amateur interest in astronomy brought out the term 'magnitude,' which is used for the...

We would have been happy if we could have assigned just three categories, large, medium,...

We would have been happy if we could have assigned just three categories, large, medium,...

What emerged, of course, was that the magnitude scale presupposed that all earthquakes were alike...

What emerged, of course, was that the magnitude scale presupposed that all earthquakes were alike...

By moving them vertically, a representative mean curve could be formed, and individual events were...

By moving them vertically, a representative mean curve could be formed, and individual events were...

Logarithmic plots are a device of the devil.

Logarithmic plots are a device of the devil.

For example, some stars put out large amounts of energy in the infrared part of...

For example, some stars put out large amounts of energy in the infrared part of...

Incidentally, the usual designation of the magnitude scale to my name does less than justice...

Incidentally, the usual designation of the magnitude scale to my name does less than justice...

Emphasis was usually put on the horizontal acceleration factor, for the simple reason that ordinary...

Emphasis was usually put on the horizontal acceleration factor, for the simple reason that ordinary...

I'm glad to see the press now referring to the open-ended Richter scale.

I'm glad to see the press now referring to the open-ended Richter scale.

Intensity like signal strength will generally fall off with distance from the source, although it...

Intensity like signal strength will generally fall off with distance from the source, although it...

Refining is inevitable in science when you have made measurements of a phenomenon for a...

Refining is inevitable in science when you have made measurements of a phenomenon for a...

I usually point out that most loss of life and property has been due to...

I usually point out that most loss of life and property has been due to...

If one introduces the concept of energy of an earthquake then that is a theoretically...

If one introduces the concept of energy of an earthquake then that is a theoretically...

I repeatedly have to correct this belief. In a sense, magnitude involves steps of 10...

I repeatedly have to correct this belief. In a sense, magnitude involves steps of 10...

There is another common misapprehension that the magnitude scale is itself some kind of instrument...

There is another common misapprehension that the magnitude scale is itself some kind of instrument...

From here, it becomes an engineering problem; the engineer considers the ground motion that will...

From here, it becomes an engineering problem; the engineer considers the ground motion that will...

Nothing is less predictable than the development of an active scientific field.

Nothing is less predictable than the development of an active scientific field.

In every area of the world where there is earthquake risk, there are still many...

In every area of the world where there is earthquake risk, there are still many...

As seismologists gained more experience from earthquake records, it became obvious that the problem could...

As seismologists gained more experience from earthquake records, it became obvious that the problem could...