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Most scientists use a machine called a seismograph which has a pen on the end and moves when there is shaking from the seismic waves. It records the shaking on a rotating paper called a seismogram. The up and down lines you see sometimes are drawn by the seismograph.

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Q: What scale rates the size of seismic waves?
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What is an ocean wave caused by an undersea earthquake?

That would be tsunamis. Tsunami is the japanese name for tidal wave, which is what we call a wave of significant size and height above sea level. Depending on the size and depth of the quake (below the Earth's crust), any number of types (sizes) of waves could result.


What are the three monitoring devices scientists use on volcanoes?

they measure earthquake with the seismograph using the richter scale to determine the size of the seismic (shock waves) they can also use the mercalli scale to visually see how large it was sorry dont know about volcanoes hope this helps x


Does a seismograph record the size of a tidal wave or earthquake?

Seismometers or Seismographs are instruments that measure motions of the ground, including those of seismic waves generated by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other seismic sources.


What does the Richter scale tell you about an earthquake?

The Richter scale provides a measure of the magnitude or energy released by an earthquake. It quantifies the amplitude (size) of seismic waves generated by the earthquake, which correlates with the earthquake's strength. The scale is logarithmic, meaning that each whole number increase on the scale represents a tenfold increase in the amplitude of shaking and approximately 31.6 times more energy release.


What characterizes the size of an earthquake?

They come in all magnitudes from can't-be-felt to knock-down-everything standing for 500 miles. They can happen almost anywhere (swamps and sandbars seem safe), but most (85%) happen on plate boundaries.

Related questions

What is the difference between Richter and Moment Magnitude scale?

the moment magnitude scale is used to measure earthquake magnitude-taking into account the size of the fault rupture, the rocks stiffness,and the amount of the movement of the fault- using values that can be estimated from the size of several types of seismic waves. while a Richter scale is a numerical scale used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake, using values based on the size of the earthquakes largest seismic waves.


What is the difference between Richter magnitude and moment magnitude?

the moment magnitude scale is used to measure earthquake magnitude-taking into account the size of the fault rupture, the rocks stiffness,and the amount of the movement of the fault- using values that can be estimated from the size of several types of seismic waves. while a Richter scale is a numerical scale used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake, using values based on the size of the earthquakes largest seismic waves.


How are scientists able to study the composition and size of the interior layers of earth?

- By using seismic waves .


What is an example of seismic waves?

an example of a seismic wave would have to be when you are recording your voice, sound waves come out of your mouth and you can see the line that moves up and down to the tone of your voice like triangles without a bottom varying in size.


What is an ocean wave caused by an undersea earthquake?

That would be tsunamis. Tsunami is the japanese name for tidal wave, which is what we call a wave of significant size and height above sea level. Depending on the size and depth of the quake (below the Earth's crust), any number of types (sizes) of waves could result.


What are the three monitoring devices scientists use on volcanoes?

they measure earthquake with the seismograph using the richter scale to determine the size of the seismic (shock waves) they can also use the mercalli scale to visually see how large it was sorry dont know about volcanoes hope this helps x


What are the two scale used to measure earthquakes and what do they measure?

There are actually 3. But 2 of them are The Mercalli scale measures an earthquake's intensity which is the strength of the ground motion in a given place. It is not very accurate though. The Richter scale measures the size of seismic waves. It gives it a rating from 1 which is the lowest(can't be felt) to 9(deathly destruction) These 2 scales are very similiar.


Does a seismograph record the size of a tidal wave or earthquake?

Seismometers or Seismographs are instruments that measure motions of the ground, including those of seismic waves generated by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other seismic sources.


What is the difference between seismic waves and seismograph?

A seismograph is an instrument that measures the seismic wave activity in an area. According to Wikipedia, Seismometersare instruments that measure and record motions of the ground, including those of seismic waves generated by earthquakes, nuclear explosions, 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. A seismic wave, according to wikipedia is, "Seismic waves are waves of force that travel through the Earth or other elastic body, for example as the result of an earthquake, explosion, or some other process that imparts forces to the body. Seismic waves are also continually excited on Earth by the incessant pounding of ocean waves (referred to as the microseism) and the wind."Seismograph is another Greek term from seismós and γράφω, gráphō, to draw. It is often used to mean seismometer, though it is more applicable to the older instruments in which the measuring and recording of ground motion were combined than to modern systems, in which these functions are separated. Both types provide a continuous record of ground motion; this distinguishes them from seismoscopes, which merely indicate that motion has occurred, perhaps with some simple measure of how large it was.


What does the Richter scale tell you about an earthquake?

The Richter scale provides a measure of the magnitude or energy released by an earthquake. It quantifies the amplitude (size) of seismic waves generated by the earthquake, which correlates with the earthquake's strength. The scale is logarithmic, meaning that each whole number increase on the scale represents a tenfold increase in the amplitude of shaking and approximately 31.6 times more energy release.


What is seismometer?

Seismometers is of Greek origin and comes from Seism - "the shakes" and Meteo - I measure" are instruments that measure and record motions of the ground, including those of seismic waves generated by earthquakes, nuclear explosions, and other seismic sources. Records of seismic waves allow seismologists to map the interior of the Earth, and locate and meas Strong Motion seismometer that measures acceleration. This model is a K2 made by Kinematics and part of Reuther the size of these different source. Be my friend and i'll buy you KFC ;)


What characterizes the size of an earthquake?

They come in all magnitudes from can't-be-felt to knock-down-everything standing for 500 miles. They can happen almost anywhere (swamps and sandbars seem safe), but most (85%) happen on plate boundaries.