Seismic
"Seismic" (size-mik) is one of the most important tools available to the Petroleum Geologist. It is a method used to determine the depth and orientation of rock formations without actually having to drill a well.
Although the principles of seismic are extremely complicated, it can be explained rather easily. Look at the diagram to the right.
A "source" of energy is applied at the surface of the ground. This energy may be applied by a "thumper" truck, which uses a large, heavy iron plate to strike the ground. More likely, the source will be dynamite, placed in a shallow hole and exploded.
Sound waves from the source travel down into the ground and are reflected back by the rock layers back up to the surface. A system of listening microphones or "geophones" picks up the reflected sound waves. The simple picture shows only one receiver. In practice, many such receivers are used. The more receivers used, the better the quality
of the received data
"Seismic" (size-mik) is one of the most important tools available to the Petroleum Geologist. It is a method used to determine the depth and orientation of rock formations without actually having to drill a well.
Although the principles of seismic are extremely complicated, it can be explained rather easily. Look at the diagram to the right.
A "source" of energy is applied at the surface of the ground. This energy may be applied by a "thumper" truck, which uses a large, heavy iron plate to strike the ground. More likely, the source will be dynamite, placed in a shallow hole and exploded.
Sound waves from the source travel down into the ground and are reflected back by the rock layers back up to the surface. A system of listening microphones or "geophones" picks up the reflected sound waves. The simple picture shows only one receiver. In practice, many such receivers are used. The more receivers used, the better the quality
of the received data
