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What is an earthquake?
An earthquake is the shaking of the surface of the earth. The tectonic plates are always moving, but due to friction,they may get stuck at their edges causing an earthquake. It is a sudden release of energy from the Earth's crusts that creates seismic waves, this is recorded on seismographs. There are different types of waves and they all travel in different ways. Earthquakes can happen without any warning.
How are earthquakes recorded?
Earthquakes are recorded by an instrument called a seismograph. It is also known as a seismometer. The recording a seismograph makes is called a seismogram. Seismographs are very securely mounted to the Earth's surfaces. There is a revolving paper drum where all the damage is recorded by the pen which is held on to the weight. As the earthquake is happening, the weight will stay in place, and as the revolving paper drum spins the weight holds the pen in place recording everything. In fact, seismographs can actually record earthquakes too small for us to feel. This may be a foreshock, which is a small earthquake that generally happens before a big earthquake. Yes, there are also aftershocks which are mini shocks that happen generally after a big earthquake.
An earthquake is the shaking of the surface of the earth. The tectonic plates are always moving, but due to friction,they may get stuck at their edges causing an earthquake. It is a sudden release of energy from the Earth's crusts that creates seismic waves, this is recorded on seismographs. There are different types of waves and they all travel in different ways. Earthquakes can happen without any warning.
How are earthquakes recorded?
Earthquakes are recorded by an instrument called a seismograph. It is also known as a seismometer. The recording a seismograph makes is called a seismogram. Seismographs are very securely mounted to the Earth's surfaces. There is a revolving paper drum where all the damage is recorded by the pen which is held on to the weight. As the earthquake is happening, the weight will stay in place, and as the revolving paper drum spins the weight holds the pen in place recording everything. In fact, seismographs can actually record earthquakes too small for us to feel. This may be a foreshock, which is a small earthquake that generally happens before a big earthquake. Yes, there are also aftershocks which are mini shocks that happen generally after a big earthquake.