A seismic source generates controlled seismic energy that is used in both reflection and refraction seismic surveys. A seismic source can be simple, such as dynamite, or it can use more sophisticated technology, such as a specialized air gun. The source provides a pulse of energy that generates seismic waves, which travel through a medium such as water or layers of rocks. Some of the waves then reflect and refract to receivers, such as geophones or hydrophones. Seismology (from the Greek seismos = earthquake and logos = word) is the scientific study of earthquakes and the movement of waves through the Earth. ... Seismic reflection data Reflection seismology (or seismic reflection) is a method of exploration geophysics that uses the principles of seismology to estimate the properties of the Earths subsurface from reflected seismic waves. ... Dynamite is an explosive based on the explosive potential of nitroglycerin, initially using diatomaceous earth (Kieselguhr) as an adsorbent. ... Air guns are weapons that propel a bullet using compressed air or another gas, possibly liquefied. ... . . p-wave and s-wave from seismograph A seismic wave is a wave that travels through the Earth, most often as the result of a tectonic earthquake, sometimes from an explosion. ... Free space is the most simple and elementary electromagnetic medium. ... Impact of a drop of water Water is a chemical substance that is essential to all known forms of life. ... The rocky side of a mountain creek near Orosí, Costa Rica. ... The reflection of a bridge in Indianapolis, Indianas Central Canal. ... The straw seems to be broken, due to refraction of light as it emerges into the air. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... A hydrophone is a sound-to-electricity transducer for use in water or other liquids, analogous to a microphone for air. ...

Non-explosive sources

Air gun

Air gun (30 l)

An air gun is used for marine reflection and refraction surveys. It consists of one or more pneumatic chambers that are pressurized with air. The air gun array is submerged below the water surface, and is towed behind a ship. The air gun is released when a bolt is retracted, allowing the air to escape the chamber and to produce a pulse of energy. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 600 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1748 × 1748 pixel, file size: 326 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Seismic source Metadata... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 600 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1748 × 1748 pixel, file size: 326 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Seismic source Metadata... Pneumatics, from the Greek πνευματικός (pneumatikos, coming from the wind) is the use of pressurized air in science and technology. ...