seismometer

[ sahyz-mom-i-ter, sahys- ]

noun

1. a seismograph equipped for measuring the direction, intensity, and duration of earthquakes by measuring the actual movement of the ground.

seismometer

/ sīz-mŏm′ĭ-tər /

1. A detecting device that receives seismic impulses. It is the detecting component of a seismograph.
2. See more at seismograph

Other Words From

• seis·mo·met·ric [sahyz-m, uh, -, me, -trik, sahys-], seismo·metri·cal adjective
• seis·momet·ry noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of seismometer¹

First recorded in 1835–45; seismo- + -meter

Example Sentences

To plumb deeper structure all the way down to Earth’s core, SinoProbe II will rely on several thousand “passive” seismometers across China, listening for earthquakes near and far.

From Science Magazine

Volcanic activity is usually monitored by tools like seismometers.

From BBC

The lander carried a seismometer, which recorded four years' of vibrations - Mars quakes - from deep inside the Red Planet.

From BBC

As the waves passed through the heart of the planet, they were recorded on 400 seismometers positioned at the other end of the globe in Alaska and Northern Canada.

From Los Angeles Times

During particularly intense shaking, the seismometers — basically objects on a spring — start to hit the wall of the instrument, and so the seismic signal is “clipped” and can’t quickly calculate magnitudes above a certain threshold.

From Los Angeles Times