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Lesson 4: Assignment (50pts)

Seismographs, accelerographs, and seismoscopes are instruments used to measure earthquakes. Seismographs provide a continuous record of ground motion by measuring horizontal and vertical movement during an earthquake. They record seismic waves on a drum through a suspended weight. Accelerographs are strong motion seismographs that can handle stronger ground motions and gather velocity data. Seismoscopes only indicate an earthquake occurred but do not record details. Each instrument has different sensitivities and capabilities to detect and measure seismic waves and ground motions.

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Bernie Romero
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13 views

Lesson 4: Assignment (50pts)

Seismographs, accelerographs, and seismoscopes are instruments used to measure earthquakes. Seismographs provide a continuous record of ground motion by measuring horizontal and vertical movement during an earthquake. They record seismic waves on a drum through a suspended weight. Accelerographs are strong motion seismographs that can handle stronger ground motions and gather velocity data. Seismoscopes only indicate an earthquake occurred but do not record details. Each instrument has different sensitivities and capabilities to detect and measure seismic waves and ground motions.

Uploaded by

Bernie Romero
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lesson 4: Assignment (50pts)

1. Describe different earthquake records and measuring instrument


2. Compare the uses of seismograph, accelerograph and seismoscope

One way to measure and record an earthquake is through a seismograph. It is a device that measures
horizontal and vertical movement during an earthquake. A seismograph also measures the duration and
intensity of an earthquake. The major parts are the suspended weight with a pen attached and a
rotating drum. The principle of this instrument is of inertia, where a stationary object like in this case the
suspended weight remains stationary unless a force is applied. Based on the composition of this
instrument the frame moves along with the earth's surface. As the ground shake, the relative motion
between the weight and the earth provides a measure of the ground motion. A recording system such as
a rotating drum attached to the frame, and a pen is attached to the suspended weight records and
produce a history of ground motion, called a seismogram. Additionally, this instrument records seismic
waves. Seismic waves cause the seismographs drum to vibrate but the suspended weight with the pen
attached moves very little. Therefore, the pen remains still and records the vibration on the drum.
Seismographs are mechanical type of instrument and generally refers to the seismometer and a
recording device as a single unit. Consequently, to measure the magnitude of an earthquake, there is a
Richter scale and a Moment magnitude scale. Magnitude is determined by measuring the amount of
ground motion caused by an earthquake. Richter scale a widely use instrument for the most of 20 th
century assigns a magnitude number to an earthquake based on the size of the seismic waves. This scale
is measured on a scale from1 to 10. It is a logarithmic scale which means that a size ‘6’ on the Richter
Scale is 10 times more powerful than a size ‘5’ and 100 times more powerful than a size ‘4’. This scale
however does not work well for large or distant earthquakes. Nevertheless, scientist today prefer the
moment magnitude scale. It is a rating system that estimates the total energy released by an earthquake
and can be used for any kind of earthquakes near or far. The moment magnitude scale is a newer
measurement of earthquakes that is also designed to overcome the problems of the Richter scale.
Furthermore, a new method of monitoring earthquake widely used today is through a seismic network
which employs acceleration sensors connected to a receiving station. Seismic accelerometer operates in
a principle based on mass-spring-damper combination and similarly acceleration calculation from
displacement. When the external acceleration occurs, it displaces the support frame relative to the
seismic mass which in turn changes the internal stress in the suspension spring. Nowadays,
accelerometers come in different designs and are sophisticated but operates the same. In a seismic
network, data are gathered from series of sensors and is analyzed and recorded in a receiving station.
With this monitoring, early warnings and preparation for an upcoming earthquake is conceivable.

Seismographs provide a continuous record of ground motion but only to a limited range. Seismographs
are also used to detect, measure and record different seismic waves. This instrument is more sensitive
to vibration that they tend to go off-scale during a strong earthquake. On the other hand, a seismoscope
only indicates the occurrence of an earthquake and does not write or record. This instrument is useful
primarily as an alert system to let people know an earthquake happened. These devices are also useful
for activities like issuing tsunami warnings and other related events. Consequently, accelerograph are
strong motion seismograph or simply an earthquake accelerometer. They are also used to monitor
ground motion that are strong enough which a seismometer cannot handle. This instrument gathers
information like velocity which is not possible with the standard seismometers. Due to the characteristic
of this instrument, it is able to record and monitor a ground motion or event in a three-dimensional way.
Other uses of accelerometers are to monitor structures for earthquake response. Data gathered thru
this instrument is used to improve building design or to assist in determining safe location for structures.
Additionally, accelerometers are like a combination of seismograph and a seismoscope. It can do the
work of the other two simultaneously.

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