SEISMOGRAPH

Introduction

Every day, there are about half a hundred earthquakes strong enough to be
felt locally and yet several of these produce distant seismic waves that can be
measured with sensitive instruments anywhere on the globe and in every few days,
there is an earthquake strong enough to ruin structural properties.
Just like as a microphone and voice recorder are used to receive and save the
acoustic waves produced by a musical ensemble, a seismograph is used for seismic
waves. Obviously, the human ear can hear the acoustic waves of music and it can
directly sense the passage of seismic waves if a large earthquake is nearby.
However, to obtain an accurate permanent record of the ground motion, and to look
at earthquakes occurring around the world, a more sensitive instrument is needed.
Seismograph is an instrument that makes a record of seismic waves caused
by an earthquake, explosion, and or other Earth-shaking phenomenon. It is
equipped with electromagnetic sensors that convert ground motions/mechanical
motions into electrical changes. The output of the sensors are being processed and
recorded with the use of either analog or digital circuits. The record produced by a
seismograph on a display screen or paper printout is called a seismogram.
The fact that Philippines is situated in the pacific ring of fire where places
along this ring are prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because of tectonic
plate boundaries and movements, seismograph might be a great help for
monitoring and recording the tectonic plate movements and activities.
This study will focus on the processes and functions of the seismograph on
how it will detect and record the intensity of the earthquake caused by the
movement of the tectonic plates, volcanic eruptions and other factors. It is well
known that earthquakes has after-effects that would trigger for the formation of
devastating phenomenon including tsunami and landslides that could take ones life
into danger anytime.
The proponents hypothesized that with the early detection and acute
readings of seismograph to earthquakes may give an early warning signal to
citizens that should have been part of the calamity.