three-dimensional seismology

views updated

three-dimensional seismology (3D seismic) A technique, used in prospecting for crude oil and natural gas, in which a set of geophones is located very precisely to detect vibrations from a series of experimentally induced seismic disturbances over a considerable area. In one survey, covering 49km2, 1700 seismic disturbances produced 725 000 geophone traces. The technique has led to the identification of larger reserves than had previously been suspected and increased production.