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Describing Very Low Frequency Radio Waves

A hectometre (hm) is a unit of length equal to 100 metres, and it is used to describe very long wavelengths in the Very Low Frequency (VLF) and Low Frequency (LF) bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. Wavelengths in the hectometre range correspond to frequencies between approximately 3 kHz and 3 MHz. These long wavelengths are typically used for maritime navigation, military submarine communication, AM radio broadcasting, and time signal transmissions.

For example, a signal at 300 kHz has a wavelength of 1 kilometre, or 10 hectometres, and a signal at 1 MHz corresponds to 3 hectometres. These long wavelengths have the unique ability to travel long distances and penetrate water and the ground, which is why they are used in submarine communications and emergency broadcast systems.

Using hectometres to express wavelength offers a practical scale for understanding wave propagation over great distances. It also aids in antenna design, where very large antennas—often hundreds of metres long—are needed to efficiently transmit or receive these frequencies. Understanding wavelength in hectometres is important in geophysics, radio astronomy, and large-scale communications infrastructure.

The Scale of Ultra-Low Frequency Waves

A megametre (Mm) equals 1,000,000 metres (10⁶ m) and is used to describe extraordinarily long wavelengths found in the ultra-low frequency (ULF) and extremely low frequency (ELF) bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. These wavelengths correspond to frequencies less than a few hertz, often in the range of millihertz to a few hertz. At this scale, wavelengths span hundreds to thousands of kilometres, extending into the megametre range.

Waves with megametre-scale wavelengths are critical for studying natural phenomena such as Earth’s magnetospheric oscillations, geomagnetic pulsations, and seismic electromagnetic signals. These frequencies and wavelengths are also important in geophysical research, allowing scientists to monitor changes in the Earth’s magnetic field and space weather effects. For example, a frequency of 0.1 Hz corresponds to a wavelength of about 3,000,000 metres, or 3 Mm.

Because of their immense scale, megametre wavelengths are not used for typical communication systems but are crucial in understanding planetary and space environments. Using the megametre unit helps researchers conceptualize and quantify these gigantic waves, linking electromagnetic theory with geophysical observations and space science.