Build your own seismograph

Novice

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Working in small groups of 3-4,  students design and construct a seismograph using common household and craft materials provided. Students will demonstrate to the class (by shaking their table) how their seismographs records ground motion and if possible, the time of the disturbance occured.

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

  • Explain how a simple seismograph is able to record ground motion that can be seen on seismograms.
Build Your Own Seismograph_Tutorial. Part 1/5
Part 1/5: Tutorial on how to build your own seismograph at home or in the classroom using common materials. This segment first describes how seismic waves travel around the earth, then how they are recorded.
Video Novice
Build Your Own Seismograph_Tutorial. Part 2/5
Part 2/5: Tutorial —In this segment Dr. John Taber shows a simple seismograph he built using common office materials. He discusses why inertial mass is important to the design.
Video Novice
Build Your Own Seismograph_Tutorial. Part 3/5
Part 3/5: Tutorial —In this segment Dr. John Taber shows examples of home-made seismographs made by others. Next he talks about the science and mechanics of how a seismograph works. Difference between “seismoscope” and “seismograph”. Then a bit of history of how seismoscopes and seismographs evolved over the centuries.
Video Novice
Build Your Own Seismograph_Tutorial. Part 4/5
Part 4/5: Tutorial —In this segment Dr. John Taber shows examples of seismometers at the IRIS headquarters in Washington D.C. and discusses how they work. They include the AS-1 Seismometer and more sophisticated models used for monitoring earthquakes world wide.
Video Novice
Build Your Own Seismograph_Tutorial. Part 5/5
Part 5/5: Tutorial —In this segment Dr. John Taber gives brief overview of what was covered in the previous segments, and offers questions for reflection on the challenges of building a seismograph.
Video Novice

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Related Fact-Sheets

How Does a Seismometer Work?

A seismograph is a device for measuring the movement of the earth, and consists of a ground-motion detection sensor, called a seismometer, coupled with a recording system. This fact sheet provides an overview of the basic components of a seismometer and physical science principles behind its operation.

NOTE: Out of Stock; self-printing only.

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