This article is from page 16 of the 2012-02-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
A SEISMOMETER located at the Cliffs of Moher has already recorded two earthquakes in its first week of operations.
The machine, which was installed by the Geological Survey of Ireland at the Cliffs of Moher last week, has already detected two earthquakes which shook the Pacific Islands of Vanuatu over the past few days.
An earthquake measuring 2.6 on the Richter Scale shook North Clare in May of 2006. This new device will be able to provide exact details on any future tremors which occur in the area.
“The seismometer is a precisionbuilt custom-made device which will be recording data on an ongoing basis at the Cliffs of Moher. Already, since it has been installed, a series of substantial earthquakes in Vanuatu in the Pacific Islands have been registered,” said Katherine Webster of the Cliffs of Moher Visitors Experience.
“When we record an incident on the seismometer we update the data to the Incorporated Research Institutions of Seismology (IRIS). The information that we pick up is quite technical. We can establish the distance at which the earthquake is oc- curring, however, in order to find the location of the earthquake we need to have the information from two other seismographs which would allow us to triangulate the exact location.
“Had the device been installed for the May 2010 earthquake in Clare it would have recorded data from it – likewise the one in Donegal last week.”
As well as recording seismic events from all over the world the seismometer will also be used as part of the Cliff’s Education Programme for students and a graphic display is attached to the device to providing both historic and real time informa- tion for visitors to view.
Meanwhile, the Cliffs of Moher Visitors Experience will celebrate its fifth birthday tomorrow with a number of events to mark the occasion. The centre, which was officially opened by the then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern (FF) on February 8, 2007, in one of his final events as Taoiseach.
To mark the anniversary, The Cliffs of Moher Visitors Experience will launch a detailed guide leaflet for the cliffs which will be presented to everyone tourist who comes to the North Clare centre. The celebration will take place from 12 noon to 4pm tomorrow with free entry for those who wish to attend.