From now on when the earth jolts, the shudder will be recorded at the Institute of Technology Sligo.
The recent acquisition of a seismometer by the Institute means students and researchers of seismic activity will be able to detect the impact of strong earthquakes.
The seismic data will be exchanged with other members of the International Schools in Seismology Network, which includes educational institutions in the USA and UK.
Seismic waves associated with earthquakes of greater than magnitude 5.0 on the Richter Scale will register on the seismometer, which has been installed by one of Ireland’s leading scientific researchers, Tom Blake from the Geophysics Section in the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies.
Tom Blake, who is Director for the Irish National Seismic Network (INSN), has also provided training for Institute staff on how to operate the instrument.
The seismometer was installed as part of the INSN’s Outreach Programme, “Seismology in Schools”. Its introduction, which was achieved through the efforts of Cait Coyle, Lecturer in Earth Science, and Margaret Mulrooney, Technical Officer at IT Sligo’s School of Science, means that IT Sligo also becomes a member of the Seismology Ireland Network.
Geophysics information from the seismometer will provide a hands-on learning experience that will benefit undergraduates in a range of environmental science and energy related degrees taught at IT Sligo, as well as even students of Applied Archaeology, which has significant scientific analysis components.
Cait says: ‘As part of the Earth Science module, students are taught about the science behind earthquakes and their impact on human beings. The seismometer and its associated software will help give students a better understanding of the theory of earthquakes. When an earthquake of 5.0 or greater on the Richter scale occurs globally, the seismic waves generated by such an event will be detected by the seismometer, as they pass beneath IT Sligo.’
Caption for photo above: Tom Blake, Director of the Irish National Seismic Network demonstrates the seismometer to IT Sligo student, Aaron Gaughan.