![](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/296/234/large_thumbnail_1907_0057__0002_.jpg)
Model of the Zhang Heng seismoscope
- Made:
- 132 CE in United Kingdom and China
- designer:
- Zhang Heng
![Model of the Zhang Heng seismoscope](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/45/830/small_thumbnail_1976_0107__0005_.jpg)
![Model of the Zhang Heng seismoscope](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/45/831/small_thumbnail_1976_0107__0006_.jpg)
![Model of the Zhang Heng seismoscope](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/43/787/small_thumbnail_1976_0107__0003_.jpg)
![Model of the Zhang Heng seismoscope](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/43/788/small_thumbnail_1976_0107__0004_.jpg)
![Model of Chang Heng seismoscope, 132AD](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/43/786/small_thumbnail_1976_0107__0002_.jpg)
![Model of Chang Heng seismoscope, 132AD](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/43/785/small_thumbnail_1976_0107__0001_.jpg)
Model of Chang Heng seismoscope, 132AD, cut away to show internal mechanism
The Chinese astronomer, mathematician and seismologist, Zhang Heng (78-139 AD) described the earliest seismoscope known in about 132 AD. Arriving shock waves displace a pendulum linked to a mechanism which opens the jaws of the dragon facing the direction of the earthquake. A ball falls from the dragon's teeth into the mouth of a toad below to record the event.
Details
- Category:
- Geophysics
- Object Number:
- 1976-107
- Measurements:
-
overall: 365 mm x 630 mm x 500 mm, 10kg
- type:
- seismoscope
- credit:
- British Broadcasting Corporation.