Key #3: Data Recording (Acquisition)

Some of the energy we send into the ground, or water, is reflected back from geologic boundaries in the sub-surface.

This reflected energy is detected by a connected network of geophones (left) planted in the ground, or by groups of hydrophones contained inside the neutrally buoyant seismic 'streamer(s)' towed behind the vessel at sea (main picture).

Similar to microphones, these devices convert the reflected energy into electrical energy which is transmitted to a central recording system, usually housed in the instrument room (or 'doghouse') for recording as raw seismic data, and for quality control checks.

Quality control is vital, not just during data recording, but at every stage of a seismic project.

Multiple Lines of Data at Once

At sea, several lines of seismic data can be recorded simultaneously by towing multiple source arrays and streamers.

Here, two source arrays and four streamers allow eight lines of seismic data (shown in yellow) to be recorded at once.

It is generally much faster to acquire seismic data at sea than on land.