Ground displacement is primarily measured by which instrument?

Ground displacement is primarily measured by a seismometer, which is specifically designed to detect and record the motions of the ground caused by seismic waves from earthquakes or other ground movements. These instruments are highly sensitive and can measure even the smallest changes in position resulting from ground displacement.

Seismometers work by detecting the vibrations in the ground and translating these into electrical signals, allowing for accurate measurements over time. This capability makes them essential in understanding geological phenomena and providing data for engineering, construction, and safety assessments in areas prone to seismic activity.

While accelerometers can also measure ground motion, they typically provide data on acceleration rather than direct displacement. Transducers and strain gauges serve different purposes in measuring physical quantities like pressure or material strain, respectively, rather than directly measuring ground movement. This specialization in capturing ground movements firmly establishes seismometers as the preferred instrument for this purpose.