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Seismologists use instruments known as seismometers (sometimes also called geophones) which measure the frequency and amplitude of seismic waves released during an earthquake.

Seismologists will also attempt to measure the movement of the crust around a fault zone to estimate the total movement that has occured. This measurement is often made using high precision GPS to measure relative positions of surface features around the fault zone.

They may also use terrestrial laser scanning equipment which can measure changes in the ground shape (recording deformation) or by using a special form of radar and a technique called synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR for short). This process essentially involves the use of a radar to create a series of very accurate relief maps of the ground surface over time and then to compare the maps to create a final plot showing the changes between them which is a record of the land surface deformation.

They may also use strain gauges and tilt metres within boreholes to observe ground deformations as well as a technology known as time domain reflectometry which is an electrical technique used to locate damage and deformation in electrical cables and which in turn can be used to measure deformations.

Using this information and an estimate of the strength of the rock mass, seismologists can calculate the magnitude of an earthquake.

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Beulah Wilkinson

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3y ago
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Edwin Mitchell

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1y ago

Like a polyghraph squiggles show the techtonic plates moving.

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13y ago

Seismologists use instruments known as seismometers (sometimes also called geophones) which measure the frequency and amplitude of seismic waves released during an earthquake.

Seismologists will also attempt to measure the movement of the crust around a fault zone to estimate the total movement that has occured. This measurement is often made using high precision GPS to measure relative positions of surface features around the fault zone.

They may also use terrestrial laser scanning equipment which can measure changes in the ground shape (recording deformation) or by using a special form of radar and a technique called synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR for short). This process essentially involves the use of a radar to create a series of very accurate relief maps of the ground surface over time and then to compare the maps to create a final plot showing the changes between them which is a record of the land surface deformation.

They may also use strain gauges and tilt metres within boreholes to observe ground deformations as well as a technology known as time domain reflectometry which is an electrical technique used to locate damage and deformation in electrical cables and which in turn can be used to measure deformations.

Using this information and an estimate of the strength of the rock mass, seismologists can calculate the magnitude of an earthquake.

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13y ago

There are a number of different types of seismometers and they all work in slightly differing ways but generally are based around the same principle.

That principle is inertia. Inertia basically means that stationary masses will remain stationary until a force is applied to them. Conceptually a seismometer can be thought of as a weight or mass, suspended by springs in a frame which is bolted to the floor.

When an earthquake occurs the frame which is attached directly to the floor is caused to move by the seismic waves, however the mass / weight on the spring does not as the seismic waves do not directly affect it (their effect is dampened by the inertia of the mass and the springs). If you were to attach a pencil or pen to the weight and a piece of graph paper to the frame so that they were touching the movement of the frame relative to the stationary mass would be recorded.

Modern seismometers are much more complex than this but in essence rely on this principle.

For more information, please see the related link.

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11y ago

Scientist measure the ground motion caused by seismic waves. Using a seismograph, scientist are able to find an earthquake's epicenter, magnitude, and location.

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11y ago

A seismograph

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11y ago

They use the Richter scale

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Q: How Are seismic waves used by scientists to measure earthquakes?
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Related questions

What do seismologists measure?

A seismograph is a device that scientists use to measure earthquake severity. It also determine the origination of the tremor and magnitude.


How do earthquakes allow scientists study earth's interior?

The seismic waves that the earthquakes make travel slowly and scientists can track them


How scientists use seismic waves to map the earth's interior?

Scientists use seismic waves to map Earth's interior by using seismographs that measure the times at which seismic waves arrive at different distances from an earthquake.


Instrument to study earthquakes?

A seismometer or seismograph will measure the amplitude and frequency of seismic waves which are produced by earthquakes.


What are seismic waves associated with?

Seismic waves are associated with earthquakes.


What is the tool scientists use to measure the strength of seismic waves'?

Seismograph


Are seismic waves and tsunami the same?

A seismograph is an instrument that records movements within the earth. A seismogram is the actual recording that scientists look at when studying earthquakes.


What Movement of the faults produces which kind of energy waves?

the waves caused by an earthquake are called seismic waves


What are the waves that you normally have in earthquakes?

Seismic waves


How do scientists know about the structure of the earth's interior?

Because of the study of seismic waves from earthquakes


What tool is used to measure an earthquake?

Scientists use a recording instrument called a seismograph to detect ground motions caused by seismic waves from earthquakes.


What earth event creates seismic waves?

earthquakes create seismic waves.