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geophone
instrument
Also known as: jugs, pickup, tortuga
- Related Topics:
- seismology
- seismic detector
How scientists study tremors and other seismic activitiesSeismic sensors such as geophones, broadband packages, and strong-motion instruments are used to study tremors and other seismic activity.
See all videos for this articlegeophone, trade name for an acoustic detector that responds to ground vibrations generated by seismic waves. Geophones—also called jugs, pickups, and tortugas—are placed on the ground surface in various patterns, or arrays, to record the vibrations generated by explosives in seismic reflection and refraction work. They also are used as military detection devices. See also seismic survey.