Earthquake Instruments

EARTHQUAKE
INSTRUMENT
Earthquake instruments are
used to DETECT unusual
ground shaking/tremor ,
MEASURE earthquake’s
magnitude and intensity, and
RECORD data for future
references .
SEISMOMETER
Seismometers are instruments that measure
motions of the ground, including those of seismic
waves generated by EARTHQUAKES, volcanic
eruptions, and other seismic sources. Records of
seismic waves allow seismologists to map the
interior of the Earth, and locate and measure the
size of these different sources. word derives from
the Greek , seismós, a shaking or quake,
and metron, measure
SEISMOGRAPH
A seismograph is the device that
scientists use to measure earthquakes. The
goal of a seismograph is to accurately record
the motion of the ground during a quake. If
you live in a city, you may have noticed that
buildings sometimes shake when a big truck
or a subway train rolls by. Good
seismographs are therefore isolated and
connected to bedrock to prevent this sort of
"data pollution."
VERTICAL
HORIZONTAL
SEISMOSCOPE
A seismoscope is a scientific device that
signals the occurrence of an earthquake,
possibly providing information about the
timing and size of the quake as well.
ZANG HENG
ZANG HENG
CREEPMETERS
A creepmeter measures fault slip by
recording the displacement between 2 piers or
monuments located on opposite sides of the
fault. Typically, an invar wire is anchored to
one pier and is stretched across the fault. Its
displacement relative to the second pier is
measured electronically and checked
periodically with a mechanical measurement.
Using the angle of the wire from the strike of
the fault, the change in distance between the
two piers is directly proportionally to fault slip.
MAGNETOMETERS
Magnetometers measure changes in local
magnetic fields resulting from a combination of
mean crustal stress change, fluid flow associated with
earthquakes, fault slip, and a number of processes
related to volcanic activity. To isolate these local
magnetic fields, the magnetic data must be corrected
for normal geomagnetic field variations, magnetic
storms and other disturbances including those
generated by cultural activity. Ultra-precise, absolute
instruments with a precision of 0.2 nanotesla are used.
STRAINMETERS
Strainmeters for continuous crustal strain
monitoring are highly sensitive instruments with
precision of less than 1 part per billion (i.e. less
than 1 inch in 16,000 miles). They are usually
installed in boreholes where surface noise is
greatly reduced. These instruments monitor the
change in crustal strain near active faults and
volcanoes associated with fault slip, earthquakes,
and volcanic activity
TILTMETERS
Tiltmeters are highly sensitive instruments used
to measure ground tilt (rotation) near faults and
volcanoes caused by fault slip and volcanic uplift.
The precision to which tilt can be measured is less
than 1 part per billion (i.e. less than 1 inch in
16,000 miles). For crustal monitoring applications,
these instruments are mostly installed in boreholes
to avoid spurious ground tilts produced by
differential thermal expansion in near-surface
materials, rainfall and pumping effects.
PORE WATER PRESSURE
Pore water pressure (sometimes abbreviated

to pwp) refers to the pressure of groundwater held
within a soil or rock, in gaps between particles
(pores). Pore water pressures in below
the phreatic level (see also groundwater) are
measured in piezometers. The vertical pore water
pressure distribution in aquifers can generally be
assumed to be close to hydrostatic.
HYDROPHONE
A hydrophone is a microphone designed to be
used underwater for recording or listening
to underwater sound. Most hydrophones are based
on a piezoelectric transducer that generates
electricity when subjected to a pressure change.
Such piezoelectric materials, or transducers can
convert a sound signal into an electrical signal since
sound is a pressure wave. Some transducers can
also serve as a projector, but not all have this
capability, and may be destroyed if used in such a
manner.
ACCELEROGRAPH
An accelerograph can be referred to as a strong
motion seismograph, or simply an
earthquake accelerometer. They are usually constructed as
a self-contained box, more commonly now being connected
directly to the Internet.
Accelerographs are useful for when the earthquake
ground motion is so strong that it causes the more
sensitive seismometers to go off-scale. There is an entire
science of strong ground motion, that is dedicated to
placing accelerographs in the vicinity of major faults. The
type of information gathered (such as rupture velocity)
would not be possible with the standard seismometers.
GLOBAL SEISMOGRAPHIC NETWORK
The Global Seismographic Network (GSN) is a 150+ station, globally

distributed, state-of-the-art digital seismic network providing free, realtime,
open access data through the IRIS DMS. The map above shows the
distribution of the current 150 station network with respect to network
operations. This includes 4 planned stations to be installed in the near
future.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST SEISMIC NETWORK
The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) is an

organization dedicated to reducing impacts of
earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in the states of
Washington and Oregon by providing accurate and fast
information about earthquakes and ground motions to
scientists, engineers, planners, and the public.
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF
DIGITAL SEISMOGRAPH NETWORKS
The International Federation of Digital Seismograph

Networks (FDSN) is a global organization. Its
membership is comprised of groups responsible for the
installation and maintenance of seismographs either
within their geographic borders or globally.
LAMONT-DOHERTY
COOPERATIVE SEISMOGRAPHIC
NETWORK
The Lamont-Doherty Cooperative Seismographic Network

(LCSN) monitors earthquakes that occur primarily in the
northeastern United States. The goal of the project is to compile a
complete earthquake catalog for this region to assess the
earthquake hazards, and to study the causes of the earthquakes
in the region. The LCSN now operates 40 seismographic stations
in seven states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey,
New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

Earthquake Instruments

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EARTHQUAKE

Pore water pressure (sometimes abbreviated

The Global Seismographic Network (GSN) is a 150+ station, globally

The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) is an

The International Federation of Digital Seismograph

The Lamont-Doherty Cooperative Seismographic Network

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