Seismogram Readings

1-Component Seismogram: Building responds to P, S, surface waves

Seismic waves travel through the earth to a single seismic station. Scale and movement of the seismic station are greatly exaggerated to depict the relative motion recorded by the seismogram as P, S, and surface waves arrive.

Animation | Novice View Details
3-Component Seismogram Records Seismic-wave Motion

We use a cow and a tree in this narrated cartoon for fun and to emphasize that seismic waves traveling away from an earthquake occur everywhere, not just at seismic stations. Watch them shake as they are struck by incoming P, S, and Surface waves.

Animation | Novice View Details
4-station Seismograph Network Records a Single Earthquake

A cow and a tree in this narrated cartoon for fun and to emphasize that seismic waves traveling away from an earthquake occur everywhere, not just at seismic stations A, B, C, and D. A person would feel a large earthquake only at station A near the epicenter. Stations B, C, D, and the cow are too far from the earthquake to feel the seismic waves though sensitive equipment records their arrival.

Animation | Novice View Details
4-station Seismograph Network; No Cartoon House Bounce

This companion to the animation “Four-Station Seismograph network”  shows the arrival of seismic waves through select wave paths through the Earth (P and S waves) and over the surface of the Earth. The movement at distant stations occurs at a microscopic scale. While that doesn’t result in noticeable movements of the buildings, the arrivals are recorded on sensitive seismometers.

Animation | Novice View Details