What problem did the seismograph solve?
His seismometer, the first known instrument built to detect earthquakes, was important, because devastating quakes happened in many remote regions of China. So a detection device helped the emperor know when and where to send timely aid from the capital.
What two things can a seismogram indicate?
A seismogram is the recording of the ground shaking at the specific location of the instrument. On a seismogram, the HORIZONTAL axis = time (measured in seconds) and the VERTICAL axis= ground displacement (usually measured in millimeters).
How accurate is a seismograph?
Modern seismometers are accurate enough to register even the tiniest ground movements of only a few nanometres – in other words, of a millionth of a millimetre. The strength of the earthquake is determined from the measured amplitudes and the distance to the hypocentre of the earthquake.
What is the importance of seismograph?
A seismometer, or seismograph, is a device that geologists use to measure and record seismic waves. By studying these recordings, scientists can map the earth’s interior, and they can measure or locate earthquakes and other ground motions.
What is the use of Richter scale?
The Richter magnitude scale was developed in 1935 by Charles F. Richter of the California Institute of Technology as a mathematical device to compare the size of earthquakes. The magnitude of an earthquake is determined from the logarithm of the amplitude of waves recorded by seismographs.
What is the difference between Richter scale and seismograph?
A seismograph is an instrument used to detect and record earthquakes. It is also known as a seismometer. The Richter scale is a numerical value used to measure the power or magnitude of earthquakes. …
What is the max on the Richter scale?
Numbers for the Richter scale range from 0 to 9, though no real upper limit exists. An earthquake whose magnitude is greater than 4.5 on this scale can cause damage to buildings and other structures; severe earthquakes have magnitudes greater than 7.
What is the formula for the Richter scale?
A better measure of the size of an earthquake is the amount of energy released by the earthquake, which is related to the Richter Scale by the following equation: Log E = 11.8 + 1.5 M (where Log refers to the logarithm to the base 10, E is the energy released in ergs and M the Richter magnitude).
What is the most common cause of earthquakes?
Earthquakes are usually caused when rock underground suddenly breaks along a fault. This sudden release of energy causes the seismic waves that make the ground shake. When two blocks of rock or two plates are rubbing against each other, they stick a little. They don’t just slide smoothly; the rocks catch on each other.
What is the most earthquake prone place in the world?
Japan
What will happen if San Andreas fault breaks?
CoreLogic, a business analysis service, estimated a Southern San Andreas fault rupture will cause 3.5 million homes to be at risk with $289 billion in reconstruction value. Water, electricity and gas lines cross the San Andreas fault in Los Angeles. They break during the quake and remain unfixed for months.