a device for giving a visual or audible indication of motion such as impact , vibration or the like , which has a contact element supported on a base . when motion occurs , due to earthquake or other causes , a contact element is displaced completing an electrical circuit . in a preferred embodiment , the contact element comprises an elongate pin which topples in response to motion . in another embodiment the contact element may be a spherical element . the device may also be used as an intrusion alarm having an auxiliary member co - operable with the device so that the device can be attached to a door or a window as a trip alarm .