Tsunami seismic waves recorded on IU instruments

On Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake shook the ground beneath the Indian Ocean causing a tsunami that devastated the surrounding countries. On that same day, halfway around the world, IU's scientific instruments began recording the seismic waves that consequently caused the deaths of more than 140,000 people.\nMichael Hamburger, seismologist and IU professor of geological sciences, recorded the high amplitude readings. He said the earthquake was "comparable with the largest earthquakes that have been recorded by seismologic instruments."\nThe instruments that recorded its effect measured seismic waves in the Earth's interior as well as others on the surfaces caused by the earthquake, Hamburger said.\nThe devices measured the movements in thousandths of a millimeter, far less than a human could feel or observe without the help of instruments. \nHamburger said the readings will be compared to others in the region and around the world for further analysis. \nFor a more in-depth look at the geology department's coverage of the tsunami, see page 6.