Charles Francis Richter Quotes & Sayings (Page 2)

“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.'”

“Refining is inevitable in science when you have made measurements of a phenomenon for a long period of time.”

“I was lucky because logarithmic plots are a device of the devil.”

“Intensity like signal strength will generally fall off with distance from the source, although it also depends on the local conditions and the pathway from the source to the point.”

“Don't wait for extraordinary circumstance to do good; try to use ordinary situations.”

“I usually point out that most loss of life and property has been due to the collapse of antiquated and unsafe structures, mostly of brick and other masonry.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

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