first arrival | Energy Glossary

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first arrival

1. n. [Geophysics]

The earliest arrival of energy propagated from the energy source at the surface to the geophone in the wellbore in vertical seismic profiles and check-shot surveys, or the first indication of seismic energy on a trace. On land, first breaks commonly represent the base of weathering and are useful in making static corrections.

See related terms: base of weatheringcheck-shot surveyfirst breakstatic correctionsuppressionvertical seismic profile