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Well you know when you write a sentence, the paper stays in one place while your hand moves the pen. But in a seismograph, it's the pen that remains stationary while the paper moves. Why is this? All seismographs make use of a basic principle of physics: Whether it is moving or at rest, every object resists any change to its motion. A seismograph's heavy weight resists motion during a quake. But the rest of the seismograph is anchored to the ground and vibrates when seismic waves arrive.

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Flavio Mitchell

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2y ago
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5mo ago

Seismographs detect seismic waves by measuring the ground vibrations caused by an earthquake. This is done using sensors that are sensitive to motion. The sensors then record the seismic waves on a seismogram, which shows the amplitude and duration of the waves.

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8y ago

Well you know when you write a sentence, the paper stays in one place while your hand moves the pen. But in a seismograph, it's the pen that remains stationary while the paper moves. Why is this? All seismographs make use of a basic principle of physics: Whether it is moving or at rest, every object resists any change to its motion. A seismograph's heavy weight resists motion during a quake. But the rest of the seismograph is anchored to the ground and vibrates when seismic waves arrive.

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13y ago

Earthquakes are measured using a recording device called a seismograph. We often think of seismographs as a free-swinging pen suspended over a rotating drum of paper; modern seismographs are entirely computer-based. Froma seismograph we can determine the distance to the earthquake epicenter from the difference in arrival time between P-waves and S-waves and their known velocities. We can pinpoint the location of the epicenter by triangulation using the distances determined from three or more seismographs. The difference in arrival time between P and S waves gives the distance from the seismograph to the earthquake epicenter.

Seismic waves are used to study the crust, mantle, and core of the earth. The interpretation of seismic waves provides information on the physical state of the crust, mantle, and core. The interpretation of seismic waves is based on wave velocity (arrival time), refraction, and reflection of waves as they pass through boundaries between different materials.

There are two basic families of seismic waves. Body waves travel within the earth. There are two types of body waves: compressional (P) waves and shear (S) waves. Primary waves (P-waves) travel the fastest, so they arrive at the recording station (seismograph) first. Secondary or shear waves (S-waves) travel slower than P-waves so they arrive second.

Surface waves are vibrations that are trapped near Earth's surface. There are two types of surface waves: Love waves and Rayleigh waves. Love waves move the ground from side to side; while Rayleigh waves roll along the ground like a wave rolls across a lake or ocean. Because it rolls it moves the ground both up and down and side-to-side in the same direction that the wave is moving. Most of the shaking felt from an earthquake is due to the Rayleigh wave, which can be much larger than the other waves.

The interpretation of seismic waves is based on wave velocity (arrival time), refraction, and reflection of waves as they pass through boundaries between different materials.

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15y ago

when waves from an earthquake reach the instrament, the inertia of the weight keeps it stationary, while earth and the support vibrate. Seismographs amplify and electronically record ground motion.

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12y ago

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. by ryan boman desmonies ia 50317 dmap as school

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14y ago

a seismograph records the vibrations within the earth with a paper ink.

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10y ago

Seismographs are attached to rods that are inserted into the Earth. When the Earth shakes, like during an earthquake, the movement of the implanted rods sends the waves to the seismograph.

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12y ago

Seismic waves cause the seismograph's drum to vibrate. But the suspended weight with the pen attached moves very little. Therfore the pen stays in place and records the drums vibrations.

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14y ago

A seismic graph can feel the vibrations and scribbles them down on the paper.

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Q: How does seismographs detect and record seismic waves?
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What are the two types of seismographs?

The two types of seismographs are analog seismographs, which use a pen and rotating drum to record seismic activity on paper, and digital seismographs, which use electronic sensors to detect and record seismic waves digitally.


What do seismographs detect?

Seismographs detect seismic waves generated by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other sources of ground motion. These instruments measure and record the intensity, duration, and direction of seismic waves to help scientists monitor and study seismic activities.


Where are seismographs located?

Seismographs are typically located in observatories, research institutions, and monitoring stations around the world to detect and record seismic waves produced by earthquakes. They are often placed underground to minimize interference from surface noise and vibrations. Additionally, seismographs are also commonly installed near fault lines and in regions that are prone to seismic activity for early detection and monitoring.


Which instruments Used to record intensity of earthquakes?

Seismometers are most commonly used to record the intensity of earthquakes. These instruments detect and measure the seismic waves produced by earthquakes. The data collected from seismometers helps scientists determine the magnitude and location of the earthquake.


What produces a record of seismic waves?

A seismograph is an instrument that produces a record of seismic waves by detecting and measuring the vibrations caused by earthquakes or other seismic events. It consists of a seismometer to detect ground motion and a recording device to produce a trace of the detected seismic waves.

Related questions

What are the two types of seismographs?

The two types of seismographs are analog seismographs, which use a pen and rotating drum to record seismic activity on paper, and digital seismographs, which use electronic sensors to detect and record seismic waves digitally.


Do seismographs record the air movements caused by seismic waves?

Seismographs do not record air movements caused by seismic waves. Seismographs specifically detect and record ground movements, such as vibrations or oscillations in the Earth's crust, produced by seismic waves generated by earthquakes or other sources. The air movements caused by seismic waves do not directly influence the seismograph readings.


What do seismographs detect?

Seismographs detect seismic waves generated by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other sources of ground motion. These instruments measure and record the intensity, duration, and direction of seismic waves to help scientists monitor and study seismic activities.


Seismographs?

this is where the seismic waves recorded; measures vertical earth motion


What is to seismic waves as electroencephalograph is to brain waves?

Seismographs!


Where are seismographs located?

Seismographs are typically located in observatories, research institutions, and monitoring stations around the world to detect and record seismic waves produced by earthquakes. They are often placed underground to minimize interference from surface noise and vibrations. Additionally, seismographs are also commonly installed near fault lines and in regions that are prone to seismic activity for early detection and monitoring.


Can seismographs stations in Europe or Asia or anywhere in the world detect the P-wave or S-waves?

Yes, seismograph stations around the world can detect both P-waves and S-waves. P-waves are the fastest seismic waves and are typically detected first, followed by the slower S-waves. The ability of seismographs to detect these waves allows scientists to study and monitor earthquakes globally.


What device is used to record seismic waves?

A seismometer or seismograph is a device used to record seismic waves generated by earthquakes or other sources. It detects and measures the vibrations caused by these waves, providing valuable data for studying the Earth's interior and understanding seismic activity.


What do seimographs detect?

Seismographs detect and record vibrations in the ground caused by seismic waves, such as those produced by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other sources of ground motion. These instruments help scientists study the magnitude, location, and timing of these events.


What is recording earthquake waves called?

Recording earthquake waves is called seismography. Seismographs are devices used to detect and measure the vibrations caused by earthquakes. These devices record the seismic waves and produce a seismogram, which provides valuable information about the earthquake's origin time, location, and magnitude.


Which instruments Used to record intensity of earthquakes?

Seismometers are most commonly used to record the intensity of earthquakes. These instruments detect and measure the seismic waves produced by earthquakes. The data collected from seismometers helps scientists determine the magnitude and location of the earthquake.


What produces a record of seismic waves?

A seismograph is an instrument that produces a record of seismic waves by detecting and measuring the vibrations caused by earthquakes or other seismic events. It consists of a seismometer to detect ground motion and a recording device to produce a trace of the detected seismic waves.