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Convert Gal to m/s² for seismology and earthquake measurements
m/s² = Gal × 0.01
Gal = m/s² ÷ 0.01
Note: 1 Gal = 1 cm/s² = 0.01 m/s²
| Gal | m/s² |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.010000 |
| 10 | 0.100000 |
| 50 | 0.500000 |
| 100 | 1.000000 |
| 500 | 5.000000 |
| 980.665 | 9.806650 |
| 1000 | 10.000000 |
| 5000 | 50.000000 |
| 10000 | 100.000000 |
| 50000 | 500.000000 |
The Gal (symbol: Gal), also known as galileo, is a unit of acceleration used primarily in seismology and gravimetry. Named after Galileo Galilei, 1 Gal is defined as 1 centimeter per second squared (cm/s²), which equals 0.01 m/s². It's the standard unit for measuring ground acceleration during earthquakes.
To convert Gal to meters per second squared, multiply the Gal value by 0.01 (or divide by 100). For example, 100 Gal × 0.01 = 1 m/s². Since 1 Gal equals 1 cm/s², the conversion is straightforward - just move the decimal point two places.
The Gal unit provides more convenient numbers for earthquake measurements. Most earthquakes produce accelerations in the range of 1-1000 Gal, which are easier to work with than the equivalent 0.01-10 m/s². The unit has been standard in seismology since the early 20th century and remains widely used despite not being an SI unit.
Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) is the maximum acceleration experienced at a location during an earthquake, typically measured in Gal or m/s². It's a critical parameter for assessing earthquake damage potential and designing earthquake-resistant structures. PGA values can exceed 1g (980 Gal) in severe earthquakes near the epicenter.
Gal measures acceleration (intensity at a location), while magnitude measures the earthquake's total energy. A high-magnitude earthquake can produce varying Gal values depending on distance, soil conditions, and depth. Generally, closer distances and shallower earthquakes produce higher Gal values, but the relationship is complex.
Modern earthquake-resistant buildings are typically designed to withstand 200-500 Gal (2-5 m/s²) without significant damage. In earthquake-prone regions like Japan and California, buildings may be designed for 500-1000 Gal (5-10 m/s²) or higher. Older unreinforced structures may fail at 50-100 Gal (0.5-1 m/s²).
Standard Earth gravity is 980.665 Gal (9.80665 m/s²). Gravimeters can measure variations in gravity as small as 1 microGal (0.00001 mm/s²), which is useful for geological surveys, mineral exploration, and detecting underground structures. Local gravity can vary by several hundred milliGal due to elevation, geology, and latitude.