Forrest Mims' Science Experiments

Chapter 5 Make an Experimental Optical Fiber Seismometer

Volcano eruptions, slippage of faults, explosions, landslides, drilling, and even traffic can create vibrations in the earth’s crust known as seismic events or earthquakes. Seismometers are devices that detect seismic events, usually by mechanically or electronically detecting the movement of a suspended mass. Miniature accelerometers inside smart phones and video games employ tiny movable masses to detect movements, including seismic events.

Optical Fiber Seismometer

My son Eric Mims developed a novel optical fiber seismometer when he was in high school. His system was an optical fiber pendulum suspended from a steel frame bolted to the concrete slab under the carpet in his bedroom. ...