Definition
Rotational seismology is an emerging study of all aspects of rotational motions induced by earthquakes, explosions, and ambient vibrations. It is of interest to several disciplines, including seismology, earthquake engineering, geodesy, and earth-based detection of Einstein’s gravitation waves.
Rotational effects of seismic waves, together with rotations caused by soil–structure interaction, have been observed for centuries (e.g., rotated chimneys, monuments, and tombstones). Figure 1a shows the rotated monument to George Inglis observed after the 1897 Great Shillong earthquake. This monument had the form of an obelisk rising over 19 metres high from a 4 metre base. During the earthquake, the top part broke off and the remnant of some 6 metres rotated about 15° relative to the base. The study of rotational seismology began only recently when sensitive rotational sensors became available due to advances in aeronautical and astronomical instrumentations.
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Bibliography
Lee, W. H. K., Celebi, M., Igel, H., and Todorovska, M. I. (eds.), 2009a. Special issue on Rotational Seismology and Engineering Applications. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, 99(2B), 945–1485.
Lee, W. H. K., Igel, H., and Trifunac, M. D., 2009b. Recent advances in rotational seismology. Seismological Research Letters, 75, 486–497.
Teisseyre, R., Takeo, M., and Majewski, E. (eds.), 2006. Earthquake Source Asymmetry, Structural Media and Rotation Effects. Heidelberg: Springer.
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Lee, W.H.K. (2013). Rotational Seismology. In: Bobrowsky, P.T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Natural Hazards. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4399-4_304
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