Why isn't the 0 on fractional scales on the far left?

On fractional scales, such as the Richter scale for earthquakes or the pH scale for acidity, zero does not represent the absence of the measured quantity. Instead, these scales are often logarithmic or based on specific reference points, meaning that zero can indicate a baseline or a specific condition rather than a minimum value. This design allows for a more nuanced representation of phenomena that can vary widely in magnitude or intensity. Thus, zero's placement reflects the nature of what is being measured rather than a conventional numerical scale.