Marine Seismic Sources

Summary

Over the last twenty years the marine seismic source has evolved from a single solid chemical charge, detonated as a high explosive point source, radiating near-field destructive energy in all directions, to an areal array of low energy mechanical sources, harmless to the environment but focusing its energy in the far-field. The early attempts to control dynamite and the gradual developments in a wide variety of low energy sources emerging to replace it are described.

Comparisons of intrinsic energy, period and band limited peak pressure are made. The many influential factors affecting the radiated far-field signature are discussed and illustrated. A general assessment of sources is given. Present day technology concerned with the control and measurement of the signature radiated by low energy arrays is described and illustrated.