BGR Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe

Seismometer-stations

The fracturing process that takes place during an earthquake generates seismic waves which spread out through the interior of the earth and can be measured by seismometers. Major earthquakes send out seismic waves which can be measured all the way around the globe. Seismometers function using the principle of the inertia of a weight suspended from a spring to record the quaking of the earth. 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. The strength is reported as a magnitude which is based on a logarithmic scale to make it easier to compare earthquakes.

Modern seismometer stations continuously record the registered ground movements and store the data in digital form. In addition, permanent transmission of the registered data flows from a whole network of stations to a data centre is necessary to guarantee the reliable and rapid monitoring of earthquake activity.

Seismic stations in Germany are operated for a number of reasons:

  • To enable scientists to provide German input to the global seismological network ,which allows large-scale structures and processes taking place within the centre of the earth to be investigated.
  • Registering seismic events in and around Germany and to carry out research on tectonic processes taking place in the centre of Europe.
  • Another important aspect is involvement in the International Monitoring System (IMS) to detect underground nuclear explosions.

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