Does Broad-Band Seismometer Clip?

Any measurement system's dynamic range in decibel (dB), can be defined as proportion of maximum and minimum amplitude (Amax and Amin) which can be measured by the system. Dynamic range defines limitation of the system. Maximum dynamic range, caused by an earthquake with magnitude around 9 is known approximately 220dB in the world. Although the analog feed-back broad-band seismic sensors have 160 dB dynamic range seems to be enough to record most of the earthquakes, these sensors may clip (saturation), when the ground shaking caused by seismic waves is strong enough. Many institutions use broad-band seismometer in Turkey. Because of the clipping of the broad-band seismometers, there were some problems on location and magnitude of the Van Earthquake which occurred October, 23, 2011. To avoid the clipping problem proposed that, relevant sensors choose or install accelerometer simultaneously with the broad-band sensor to the recording system at the seismic stations. In this study, giving information on why the broad-band seismometers clipping, clearing up the general and wrong understanding is "broad-band seismometers do not clip".