Quantitative Analysis of Early Seismograph Recordings

摘要: Seismograms are the most comprehensive and quantitative documents of ground motion produced by earthquakes. First preserved records account for more than 100 years instrumental seismology already, outperforming time-span covered modern broad-band seismic networks. But their uniqueness, as a document, prior to generalization massive methods copy distribution, limits usability availability earliest seismograms research purposes. Contemporaneous analysis old predated fundamental developments in seismology, well digital revolution, suggesting reanalysis these unique valuable with seismological tools direct calculation earthquake source parameters, at least relevant events. However, this is not straightforward: Early have been recorded instruments low dynamic range narrow frequency band. Many times complementary information required process recover displacement, like instrument calibration time accuracy, has lost or doubtful. In fact, procedures make useful are, many aspects, similar those needed use macroseismic information. The present contribution reviews main topics methodologies leading proper related documents, including location distribution original recording system information, sequence from paper seismogram involving digitization, trace correction deconvolution response. We discuss potential limitations such treatments, review some applications recovered retrieving parameters through full waveform analysis.