To turn these astronomical ranges into a simple scale, we can use the
mathematical device of the logarithm. If we raise ten to some power
x to make a big number N, then the log of that big number
N is the power x:
Now let's review the log (base 10) of some example numbers:
Note that while you can take the log of a very small number, which will be
negative, you can't take the log of any negative number.
J. Louie, revised 29 June 1998
Back to: Richter Magnitude
Previous: Seismic Waves ---
Next: Earthquake Effects in Kobe, Japan