sismómetro

A sismómetro is an instrument used to detect and record ground motion, primarily seismic waves generated by earthquakes. It measures the velocity or displacement of the Earth's surface. Early sismómetros were mechanical devices that relied on the inertia of a suspended mass. When the ground moved, the mass would tend to stay still due to inertia, and the difference in motion between the mass and the ground was recorded. These early instruments were often sensitive to horizontal or vertical motion separately.

Modern sismómetros are electronic and far more sophisticated. They typically use a mass attached to a spring, and the relative motion between the mass and the instrument case is converted into an electrical signal. This signal is then amplified and digitized. The digitized data can be stored, transmitted, and analyzed to study seismic events. Sismómetros are crucial for earthquake monitoring, research into Earth's internal structure, and early warning systems. They are deployed in networks around the world to provide comprehensive coverage and accurate data. The sensitivity of sismómetros allows them to detect even very small tremors.