A digital recorder and method for digitizing and recording seismic events, the recorder being capable of lengthy stand-by periods during which it records lesser events of little interest in a static buffer and then displaces these events with more recent events when the static buffer is full. The recorder is self powered and controlled by a microprocessor to transfer strong-motion signals representing important seismic events from the static buffer into a static memory which is kept alive by suitable back-up batteries and comprises a cartridge separable and retrievable from the recorder after a major seismic event. The information in the recorder also is accessible through a serial port for reading out to a central data processor. The seismic information is specially compressed and formatted to increase the amount of data recorded by eliminating data that is essentially redundant. The recorder comprises a package designed to protect the electronic circuitry and three orthogonally arranged seismometers in a sealed compartment, and to house the power supply including rechargeable batteries in an easily accessible vented compartment.
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