The fathom, an intriguing unit of length measurement, is primarily used in nautical contexts to measure water depth. Originally derived from the Old English word “fæðm,” meaning “to embrace,” it represents the span of a person’s outstretched arms, approximately six feet. This makes it a convenient measurement for sailors in the past who used to determine depth using a weighted rope called a “lead line.”
Following centuries of maritime tradition, the fathom remains a vital tool in oceanography and the maritime industry. It’s fascinating to note that it also plays a symbolic role, metaphorically plunging into “fathomless” depths to denote the mysteries of the sea. While modern technology has advanced far beyond lead lines, the fathom remains a cherished part of nautical lexicon.
The kilometer, a unit of length in the metric system, is standard for measuring distances in most of the world, but did you know that it was officially defined in terms of the Earth’s geometry? Originally, a kilometer was devised as one ten-millionth of the distance from the Equator to the North Pole, a fraction of the Earth’s meridian. This fascinating origin reflects humanity’s quest to make sense of the vastness of our planet.
Moreover, the metric system’s global reign didn’t happen overnight. The U.S. is one of the few countries primarily using miles, yet if you’re ever curious, consider that a marathon—26.2 miles—is approximately 42.195 kilometers! Imagine, the very races where athletes push the limits of human endurance are framed by this historical unit, rooting the challenge in a nearly ten-thousand-year-old tradition.
Fathoms | Kilometers |
---|---|
0
fathom
|
0
km
|
1
fathom
|
0.0018288
km
|
2
fathom
|
0.0036576
km
|
3
fathom
|
0.0054864
km
|
4
fathom
|
0.0073152
km
|
5
fathom
|
0.009144
km
|
6
fathom
|
0.0109728
km
|
7
fathom
|
0.0128016
km
|
8
fathom
|
0.0146304
km
|
9
fathom
|
0.0164592
km
|
10
fathom
|
0.018288
km
|
11
fathom
|
0.0201168
km
|
12
fathom
|
0.0219456
km
|
13
fathom
|
0.0237744
km
|
14
fathom
|
0.0256032
km
|
15
fathom
|
0.027432
km
|
16
fathom
|
0.0292608
km
|
17
fathom
|
0.0310896
km
|
18
fathom
|
0.0329184
km
|
19
fathom
|
0.0347472
km
|
20
fathom
|
0.036576
km
|
21
fathom
|
0.0384048
km
|
22
fathom
|
0.0402336
km
|
23
fathom
|
0.0420624
km
|
24
fathom
|
0.0438912
km
|
25
fathom
|
0.04572
km
|
26
fathom
|
0.0475488
km
|
27
fathom
|
0.0493776
km
|
28
fathom
|
0.0512064
km
|
29
fathom
|
0.0530352
km
|
30
fathom
|
0.054864
km
|
31
fathom
|
0.0566928
km
|
32
fathom
|
0.0585216
km
|
33
fathom
|
0.0603504
km
|
34
fathom
|
0.0621792
km
|
35
fathom
|
0.064008
km
|
36
fathom
|
0.0658368
km
|
37
fathom
|
0.0676656
km
|
38
fathom
|
0.0694944
km
|
39
fathom
|
0.0713232
km
|
40
fathom
|
0.073152
km
|
41
fathom
|
0.0749808
km
|
42
fathom
|
0.0768096
km
|
43
fathom
|
0.0786384
km
|
44
fathom
|
0.0804672
km
|
45
fathom
|
0.082296
km
|
46
fathom
|
0.0841248
km
|
47
fathom
|
0.0859536
km
|
48
fathom
|
0.0877824
km
|
49
fathom
|
0.0896112
km
|
50
fathom
|
0.09144
km
|
51
fathom
|
0.0932688
km
|
52
fathom
|
0.0950976
km
|
53
fathom
|
0.0969264
km
|
54
fathom
|
0.0987552
km
|
55
fathom
|
0.100584
km
|
56
fathom
|
0.102413
km
|
57
fathom
|
0.104242
km
|
58
fathom
|
0.10607
km
|
59
fathom
|
0.107899
km
|
60
fathom
|
0.109728
km
|
61
fathom
|
0.111557
km
|
62
fathom
|
0.113386
km
|
63
fathom
|
0.115214
km
|
64
fathom
|
0.117043
km
|
65
fathom
|
0.118872
km
|
66
fathom
|
0.120701
km
|
67
fathom
|
0.12253
km
|
68
fathom
|
0.124358
km
|
69
fathom
|
0.126187
km
|
70
fathom
|
0.128016
km
|
71
fathom
|
0.129845
km
|
72
fathom
|
0.131674
km
|
73
fathom
|
0.133502
km
|
74
fathom
|
0.135331
km
|
75
fathom
|
0.13716
km
|
76
fathom
|
0.138989
km
|
77
fathom
|
0.140818
km
|
78
fathom
|
0.142646
km
|
79
fathom
|
0.144475
km
|
80
fathom
|
0.146304
km
|
81
fathom
|
0.148133
km
|
82
fathom
|
0.149962
km
|
83
fathom
|
0.15179
km
|
84
fathom
|
0.153619
km
|
85
fathom
|
0.155448
km
|
86
fathom
|
0.157277
km
|
87
fathom
|
0.159106
km
|
88
fathom
|
0.160934
km
|
89
fathom
|
0.162763
km
|
90
fathom
|
0.164592
km
|
91
fathom
|
0.166421
km
|
92
fathom
|
0.16825
km
|
93
fathom
|
0.170078
km
|
94
fathom
|
0.171907
km
|
95
fathom
|
0.173736
km
|
96
fathom
|
0.175565
km
|
97
fathom
|
0.177394
km
|
98
fathom
|
0.179222
km
|
99
fathom
|
0.181051
km
|
100
fathom
|
0.18288
km
|
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