Seismic Exploration Station

a mobile field laboratory used in seismic exploration to obtain field seismograms. A seismic exploration station usually has 24 to 48 data channels of the same type, designed to convert and record oscillation signals from seismic sensors. Sometimes six to 12 or 22 to 96 channels are used; some stations are equipped with up to 700 channels. Each channel is equipped with devices to amplify, filter, and adjust the level of signals. The oscillations are recorded on multichannel magnetic registers in analog or digital form. A magnetic tape records a mark at the moment the wave is excited at the source, as well as periodic time signals, the amplification factor of the channel, and other data. A visual display is presented simultaneously on photographic or heat-sensitive paper. A small computer is sometimes installed at the station to reproduce and convert the raw field records.

A seismic exploration station may be mounted on a motor vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, or ship; portable stations can be hand-carried. Storage batteries serve as the power source. Seismic exploration stations are classified according to the recording technique used (analog or digital), the number of channels, the frequency band of the received oscillations, and the maximum length of recording time. Stations with two to six channels and visual display of the received oscillations are used to study depths of 15 to 20 m. Special types of seismic exploration stations are used for seismic well logging.