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. (Charles Francis Richter)
Emphasis was usually put on the horizontal acceleration factor, for the simple reason that ordinary structures have a built-in safety factor for the vertical component; that is, gravity. (Charles Francis Richter)
A good deal of my consulting work consists of site analysis for proposed developments. The problem of assessing seismic risk starts at the geological-geophysical end and winds up at the engineering end. (Charles Francis Richter)
I suggested that we might compare earthquakes in terms of the measured amplitudes recorded at these stations, with an appropriate correction for distance. (Charles Francis Richter)
As seismologists gained more experience from earthquake records, it became obvious that the problem could not be reduced to a single peak acceleration. In fact, a full frequency of vibrations occurs. (Charles Francis Richter)
Refining is inevitable in science when you have made measurements of a phenomenon for a long period of time. (Charles Francis Richter)
If the assumptions used in calculating energy are changed, then this seriously affects the final result, even though the same body of data might be used. (Charles Francis Richter)
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. (Charles Francis Richter)
I saw that I could now rank the earthquakes one above the other. Also, quite unexpectedly the attenuation curves were roughly parallel on the plot. (Charles Francis Richter)
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. (Charles Francis Richter)
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. (Charles Francis Richter)
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. (Charles Francis Richter)
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.' (Charles Francis Richter)
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