Home ScienceEarth Science b5aa484b5d138cf1210e2be361b1344a

b5aa484b5d138cf1210e2be361b1344a

by Peter

xkcd’s “Frequency” Chart: Putting Big Concepts into Context

Randall Munroe, the creator of the popular webcomic xkcd, has a knack for making complex concepts relatable and understandable. His latest chart, “Frequency,” is a great example of this.

The chart juxtaposes a variety of events that occur with different frequencies, from the mundane (like heartbeats) to the extraordinary (like earthquakes). This juxtaposition helps to put these events into perspective and makes them more visceral.

For example, the chart shows that babies are born on this planet faster than your heart is beating. This simple fact can help to drive home the sheer number of births that occur every day.

Another example is the frequency of earthquakes. The chart shows that there is an earthquake happening somewhere on the planet roughly every three beats of your heart. This is a staggering statistic, and it helps to underscore the fact that earthquakes are a common occurrence.

How Long Would You Need to Wait to See a Magnitude 4 Earthquake?

One entry on Munroe’s chart that never seems to blip is “Earthquake (Magnitude 4).” This got us wondering: how long would you need to wait to see it flash?

According to the United States Geological Survey, there are roughly 13,000 earthquakes each year with a magnitude from 4.0 to 4.9. This means that you would need to sit around for around 40 minutes to see the Earthquake (Magnitude 4) box flash.

Other Insights from the Chart

Munroe’s chart does a couple of things really well. First, it puts events in relation to one another, which can help to make them more meaningful. For example, the chart shows that heartbeats are more frequent than marriages, and births are more frequent than deaths.

Second, the chart helps to explain more esoteric events. For example, the chart shows that sharks are plucked from the ocean with surprising frequency. This is a fact that many people may not be aware of, but it helps to underscore the fact that sharks are not as rare as we might think.

Overall, xkcd’s “Frequency” chart is a fascinating and informative look at the world around us. It is a great example of how data can be used to make complex concepts more accessible and understandable.

Additional Long-Tail Keywords

  • how to interpret the Richter scale
  • what is the difference between an earthquake and a tremor
  • what are the different types of earthquakes
  • what are the causes of earthquakes
  • what are the effects of earthquakes
  • how to stay safe during an earthquake
  • how to prepare for an earthquake
  • what to do after an earthquake

You may also like