1. n. [Geophysics]

A technique for acquiring full-azimuth (FAZ) marine seismic data. This technique uses a vessel equipped with source arrays and streamers to shoot and record seismic data; however, unlike conventional surveys acquired in a series of parallel straight lines, circle shooting surveys are acquired as the vessel steams in a series of overlapping, continuously linked circles, or coils. The circular shooting geometry acquires a full range of offset data across every azimuth to sample the subsurface geology in all directions. The resulting FAZ data are used to image complex geology, such as highly faulted strata, basalt, carbonate reefs, and subsalt formations.

See related terms: acquisition,  salt dome