When you think about seismology, you might be thinking only about earthquakes. However, while studying earthquakes is certainly the main component of this discipline of science, it is not the only aspect to study. Seismologists and Geophysicists also study the effects of earthquakes and the effects of man-made seismic activity and the movement of elastic waves through the Earth in general. To do this, scientists use a variety of important tools.
The seismometer is one tool that all seismologists must learn how to use. In the past, this device simply showcased the size and duration of seismic waves. We've all seen these devices before, perhaps on a news broadcast, showing the seismic activity before, during and after an earthquake. It is sometimes also known as a seismograph, and there are seismograph stations all over the planet, recording seismic activity constantly. Today's seismometers not only show the activity, they also record the activity so that scientists can study the data more easily.
You might be surprised to learn that even 2,000 years ago in China there were actually seismographs, the very first of their kind. This ancient instrument monitored things like ground movement and wind events. This was used until in the late 19th century when Thomas Gray, John Milne and James Alfred Ewing built a more modern version of the device. Even though it did not detect the occurrence of far-away earthquakes, it provided helpful data which was the location of nearby earthquakes. Fault lines and the study of different types of earthquakes are the data that assisted the scientists.
The strain-meter is used by scientists to study earthquakes and this is placed deep into the earth as much as 500 feet below the surface making it a very fascinating device to use. The surface of the earth has some small movements and this detects it. The earth's changes are recorded by the strain-meter at lower frequencies compared to what you could do with a seismometer. The stress build ups are what is shown by this whenever they are placed in for long periods of time due to plate tectonics and then the release of this stress or the changes in stresses after a seismic event is recorded.
Warren-Knight Instrument Company builds a variety of instruments a seismologist might use, including a theodolite. Theodolites are another type of tool which is used commonly by the seismologist. Surveying engineers actually use this but it has another purpose too which has been quite helpful in measuring creep movement or the movement that occurs in the earth's crust as a reaction to earthquakes.
There are other events that may be studied by seismologists, including volcanoes and man-made seismic movements. An inclinometer or tilt meter can be a helpful tool in these instances, especially in highlighting the build-up of stress and pressure in an active volcano. Some of the human-made seismic events might include explosions, such as those in a mining operation. Hydraulic fracturing also affects the earth, and seismologists also use many tools to study this man-made movement.
The seismometer is one tool that all seismologists must learn how to use. In the past, this device simply showcased the size and duration of seismic waves. We've all seen these devices before, perhaps on a news broadcast, showing the seismic activity before, during and after an earthquake. It is sometimes also known as a seismograph, and there are seismograph stations all over the planet, recording seismic activity constantly. Today's seismometers not only show the activity, they also record the activity so that scientists can study the data more easily.
You might be surprised to learn that even 2,000 years ago in China there were actually seismographs, the very first of their kind. This ancient instrument monitored things like ground movement and wind events. This was used until in the late 19th century when Thomas Gray, John Milne and James Alfred Ewing built a more modern version of the device. Even though it did not detect the occurrence of far-away earthquakes, it provided helpful data which was the location of nearby earthquakes. Fault lines and the study of different types of earthquakes are the data that assisted the scientists.
The strain-meter is used by scientists to study earthquakes and this is placed deep into the earth as much as 500 feet below the surface making it a very fascinating device to use. The surface of the earth has some small movements and this detects it. The earth's changes are recorded by the strain-meter at lower frequencies compared to what you could do with a seismometer. The stress build ups are what is shown by this whenever they are placed in for long periods of time due to plate tectonics and then the release of this stress or the changes in stresses after a seismic event is recorded.
Warren-Knight Instrument Company builds a variety of instruments a seismologist might use, including a theodolite. Theodolites are another type of tool which is used commonly by the seismologist. Surveying engineers actually use this but it has another purpose too which has been quite helpful in measuring creep movement or the movement that occurs in the earth's crust as a reaction to earthquakes.
There are other events that may be studied by seismologists, including volcanoes and man-made seismic movements. An inclinometer or tilt meter can be a helpful tool in these instances, especially in highlighting the build-up of stress and pressure in an active volcano. Some of the human-made seismic events might include explosions, such as those in a mining operation. Hydraulic fracturing also affects the earth, and seismologists also use many tools to study this man-made movement.
About the Author:
Carey Bourdier enjoys writing about precision scientific instruments. To discover a top quality precision alignment instrument, or to find more information about surveying instruments, go to the WarrenKnight.com website now.
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