What does a seismograph do?

What does a seismograph do?

• A. A log of unusual occurrences.
• B. An instrument that can check gas lines.
• C. A machine that prevents explosions.
• D. A machine that measures shaking in the ground.

Answer: (D)

A seismograph is specifically designed to measure and record the vibrations of the ground, usually caused by seismic activity such as earthquakes. This instrument detects the shaking of the earth and converts it into a readable format, often displaying the intensity and duration of the shaking on a graph. This capability is crucial for understanding seismic activity, assessing the location and magnitude of earthquakes, and studying the structure of the Earth's interior. The other options describe functions unrelated to the specific purpose of a seismograph. For instance, logging unusual occurrences pertains to a different type of monitoring or reporting, checking gas lines is related to safety and infrastructure, and preventing explosions involves safety mechanisms rather than measuring ground movement.

A seismograph is specifically designed to measure and record the vibrations of the ground, usually caused by seismic activity such as earthquakes. This instrument detects the shaking of the earth and converts it into a readable format, often displaying the intensity and duration of the shaking on a graph. This capability is crucial for understanding seismic activity, assessing the location and magnitude of earthquakes, and studying the structure of the Earth's interior.

The other options describe functions unrelated to the specific purpose of a seismograph. For instance, logging unusual occurrences pertains to a different type of monitoring or reporting, checking gas lines is related to safety and infrastructure, and preventing explosions involves safety mechanisms rather than measuring ground movement.