Seismometer (Seismograph)

The devices used by seismologists for the measurement and recording of the vibrations of earthquakes is known as seismometer or a seismograph.

Principle of seismographs

All seismometers work on two basic principles: First one is the principle of inertia which is a characteristic of a body considered due to its mass. Second is the principle of simple harmonic motion.

Components of Seismographs

A simple seismometer consists of following components: 1. A spring 2. Confiner 3. Weight 4. Pen or pencil 5. Rotating Drum 6. Rigid Frame

Working of Seismograph

To understand the working of a simple seismometer consider a seismometer that is sensitive to up-down motions (vertical seismometer) of the earth. As the earth moves, the relative motion between the weight and the earth provides a measure of the vertical ground motion. If a recording system is installed, such as a rotating drum attached to the frame, and a pen attached to the mass, this relative motion between the weight and earth can be recorded to produce a history of ground motion, called a seismogram

Seismogram

The graph plotted by the seismograph is known as seismogram. It shows the amplitude of seismic waves. Those one having lower amplitude are high speed waves known as body waves The waves which have slow speed have high amplitude and are known as surface waves.

The pattern of body waves depict that since they are high speed waves they quickly passes by causing less damage. But surface waves are slow speed waves. They shakes the building very badly. Thus surface waves are more responsible for the destruction caused by an earthquake.

Types of seismometers
On the basis of configuration seismometers have following two types: 1. Horizontal Seismometers 2. Vertical Seismometers Other seismometers include: 1. Tele-seismometers 2. Strong Motion Seismometers 3. Long period seismometers 4. Short period seismometers 5. Broadband seismometers

Figure shows a typical Tele-seismometer showing the sophisticated electronics used to hold the mass

Scales used in Seismography

1. 2. 1. 2. 3.

Following major scales are used in seismography: Richter Magnitude Scale Mercalli Intensity Scale Other scales are: Moment Magnitude Scale Peak Ground Acceleration Ground Acceleration

Richter Magnitude Scale

Richter scale measures magnitude of an earthquake and it is related to the energy released during an earthquake. Its advantage is that it is an open scale i.e. it has no minimum and maximum value. Energy released by an earthquake of 6 richter scale magnitude is compared with the energy released by 1 Megaton Nuclear bomb.

Mercalli Intensity Scale

The Mercalli scale has 12 levels and it is a subjective scale. When an earthquake hits an area then its intensity will be measured by the damage it has done. Its disadvantage is that it is perception based and its result can vary from person to person. Another limitation of this scale is that it is of no use to the seismologists for research work. This can is useful to describe an earthquake to a common person