Exhibit Details

• The Da Vinci Science Center confirms its readings of earthquakes by comparing its data with U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) real-time data
• The Quakes and Shakes Seismometer was funded by a grant from the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS)

How It Works

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.

A simple seismometer that is sensitive to up-down motions of the earth can be understood by visualizing a weight hanging on a spring.