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The centimetre (SI symbol: cm) is a unit of length in the metric system equal to 10 −2 metres ( 1 / 100 m = 0.01 m). To help compare different orders of magnitude, this section lists lengths between 10 −2 m and 10 −1 m (1 cm and 1 dm). 1 cm – 10 millimeters; 1 cm – 0.39 inches; 1 cm – edge of a square of area 1 cm 2
A significant characteristic of the metric system is its use of decimal multiples – powers of 10. For example, a length that is significantly longer or shorter than 1 metre can be represented in units that are a power of 10 or 1000 metres. This differs from many older systems in which the ratio of different units varied.
1 km 2 means one square kilometre, or the area of a square of 1000 m by 1000 m. In other words, an area of 1 000 000 square metres and not 1000 square metres. 2 Mm 3 means two cubic megametres, or the volume of two cubes of 1 000 000 m by 1 000 000 m by 1 000 000 m, i.e. 2 × 10 18 m 3, and not 2 000 000 cubic metres (2 × 10 6 m 3).
For example, 1 kilometre is 10 3 (one thousand) times the length of 1 metre, but 1 square kilometre is (10 3) 2 (10 6, one million) times the area of 1 square metre, and 1 cubic kilometre is (10 3) 3 (10 9, one billion) cubic metres.
The Taal Volcano in southern Luzon, Philippines, spews an ash plume that measures approximately 10 to 15 kilometres (6.2 to 9.3 mi). The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology designates a "level 4" alert level, indicating "an imminent hazardous eruption". (The Guardian)