Seismological Training Laboratory●About the Laboratory
International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering (IISEE) provides
training courses on seismology, earthquake engineering and tsunami disastermitigation to researchers and engineers from developing countries. The seismologicaltraining laboratory, which was built in 1979 have been used for comprehensive
training related to earthquake observation, data acquisition and signal processing.
Throughout the training courses, IISEE turns out many professionals who areengaged in earthquake observation and disaster mitigation tasks. Earthquake motion
has a wide variety of amplitude range (1/1,000,000 meters ~ several meters) andperiodic characteristics (less than 0.1 second ~ more than 300 second) and therefore
researchers/engineers have to select suitable instruments in order to detect signals
they need. There are many kinds of seismometers and data acquisition systems in thelaboratory in order to respond to participant’s various needs. The instruments make itpossible for participants to learn about not only mechanism of seismometers andhandling methods but also the history of earthquake observation. The laboratory isalso equipped with workplaces for BRI research staff members.

The front of a laboratory

27 Seismological Training Lab.

Displayed seismometers

■ Exhibition of Seismographs and Seismometers
Seismic sensors (seismographs, seismometers) are classified broadly into three
types: broadband sensors, short-period sensors and strong-motion sensors. Broadband
sensors are used for recording long-period seismic motions generated by far-field
earthquakes and nuclear explosions. Short-period sensors are used to detect seismic
motions from small and moderate earthquakes. Strong-motion sensors are used forrecording strong ground or building shaking without clipping. In the laboratory, oldand new style sensors are preserved and displayed.
■ Seismological Training
Classical analogue seismographs and classical optical recording devices used fromthe 1960s to the 1980s are kept in the seismograph room. In the training onseismology, participants learn basic principles and mechanism of the instruments andhistory of earthquake observation. Participants also learn data processing techniques
using recorded digital data.
■ Strong Motion Observation Training
In Japan, the development of strong ground motion sensors started in the 1950s.
Initial strong motion sensors (seismographs with large pendulums) were designed
robustly in order to record strong shaking even if the building collapses during aquake. Now the small and high-performance sensors are the mainstream. The
successive representative strong-motion sensors are kept in the strong motion
observatory to learn about the history, mechanics and handling methods.
■ Geophysical Survey Training
Small-amplitude ambient vibration of the ground (microtremor, ambient noise etc.)
caused by natural phenomena such as ocean waves and wind, and human activities
contains information about underground soil structure and ground motion propertiesof the site. Now the ambient vibrations as well as forced vibrations are widely used ingeophysical surveys as one of the applicable approach of subsurface explorations. In
our training course, participants learn a series of processes from observation toanalysis.

27 Seismological Training Lab.

■ Use for Individual Study
This laboratory is equipped with a branch library of IISEE, holding various
documents on seismology and recent damaging earthquakes. There is also a self-study
room for training participants.

27 Seismological Training Lab.