 Each of the graphs on this page shows an earthquake reading on a seismograph. The waves from an earthquake sets a writing device in motion showing the magnitude and the length of time that the earth is in motion during a quake.
The strength or magnitude is recorded in the verical (up and down) lines. The stronger the quake the longer the lines will be drawn on the graph.
The duration (length of time) that a quake occurs is represented in the horizontal lines. The duration of the earthquake in the top graph shows a quake lasting about 40 seconds. Each box on the graph is a one minute time duration. The bottom earthquake lasted about one minute and 20 seconds.
Which earthquake was stronger??
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