Today, we know more about the inner workings of Earth than ever before. Thanks to continued innovation in technologies like seismology and GPS, we’re able to peer deeper into our planet than ever before. Scientists have used these techniques to monitor the movements of tectonic plates, study volcanic activity, and spot the exact spots of earthquakes. In this article, we’ll take a look at what seismic sensors are, how they’re revealing the mysteries of our planet, and which sensor is best for your needs.
- Geophone
A geophone is a device that detects vibrations of this planet. It’s most commonly used in seismology to record sounds that travel through the ground and can be used as a standalone instrument or a component of a larger system. The recording technique used by a geophone is called “interrogation.” A geophone’s face is covered in a special coating that can record the vibrations.
To get vibrations into the recording device, you either have to have the geophone placed directly on the ground or have it suspended somewhere above the ground. The surface you’re measuring is important, too. If you’re trying to record the sounds coming from the ground, the surface you’re measuring has to be different from the surface you’re standing on.
- Seismic cabling
Seismic cables are used to transmit intense vibrations from a source to a recording device. When used to record natural sounds in a recording studio, for example, they can transmit the sounds of an instrument or voice in a studio to the recording surface. The seismic cable is also used in the seismic collection to transmit the vibrations from the recording device to a data recorder.
The recording device can transmit the vibrations back to the seismic source through a cable that can be up to several kilometers long. Seismic cables can function at a variety of frequencies depending on the type of cable being used. Some cables are capable of transmitting high frequencies, while others can transmit low frequencies.
- Seismic Vibrators
A seismic vibrator is used to create seismic waves with the use of a source and a recording device placed at the source location. The recording device captures the vibrations as they travel through the ground toward the recording device, which can transmit the vibrations back to the seismic source through a cable.
The vibrations that travel through the ground are called seismic waves. This type of equipment can be used to create seismic waves in a controlled way, so the waves don’t affect the air or any other objects too much.
Seismic sensors are crucial to modern geosciences. From studying volcanoes and helping us map our planet, to detecting the movement of tectonic plates, sensors are helping us better understand our planet. With their ability to detect vibrations, they’re able to tell scientists so much more than they could before about the earth beneath our feet.
From detecting earthquakes to mapping the length of rivers and even detecting volcanic activity, these sensors allow us to get a better understanding of our planet. You can contact a seismic sensor supplier to get these pieces of instruments.