the slumbering scientist是一个词,slumbering修饰scientist,沉睡的科学家,the strength of a shock也是一个词,震动的强度,recorded for 为。。。记录,整句连起来就是为沉睡的科学家记录震动强度。
当地震强度太低不能唤醒那些熟睡的科学家时,可以替他们记录下地震的强度
recorded (for the slumbering scientist) the strength of a shock (that was too weak to waken him)