Most of these are very small and cause no damage.
Yet, the worlds first seismometer was built and installed in Scotland at a place called Comrie.
Because of this it is sometimes referred to as the “Shaky Town”.
It wasn’t until 1789 that the first systematic recording of data and severity was recorded at Comrie.
This was done by the Reverends Taylor and Gilfillan who began recording these tremors.
Many houses in Comrie were damaged and a dam near Stirling was breached.
The shock wave was felt over most of Scotland.
Their instrument consisted of two wooden planks placed in the North-South and East-West direction.
Over these, wooden cylinders of increasing width and therefore stability were placed.
A tray of sand prevented the cylinders from rolling about and knocking other cylinders off.
It was primitive but it appeared to work.
It was built by Scottish physicist James David Forbes.
Once again activity declined, and the site fell into disuse.
By 1911 technology had moved on, and the building became redundant.
Photo credit
The modern seismometer installed in 1988.Photo credit
Sources:www.strathearn.com/www.gateway-to-the-scottish-highlands.com/Undiscovered Scotland
