Sensitivity Specifications in Broadband Seismometers

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A modern force-feedback broadband seismometer is a complex precision electro-mechanical instrument capable of measuring a wide range of ground motion signals. The best instruments are capable of measuring extraordinarily small ground motions from distant teleseismic events as well as vibrations generated by moderate-to-large regional and small local earthquakes. Most manufacturers will have a number of models distinguished by different specifications for performance, interfaces, operating environment, footprint, and features. In this article we focus on the sometimes misunderstood “sensitivity” specification and show that its significance is about how to interpret the signal, not whether a particular sensor performs better or worse than another.