1. n. [Geophysics]

A device used in surface seismic acquisition, both onshore and on the seabed offshore, that detects ground velocity produced by seismic waves and transforms the motion into electrical impulses. Geophones detect motion in only one direction. Conventional seismic surveys on land use one geophone per receiver location to detect motion in the vertical direction. Three mutually orthogonal geophones are typically used in combination to collect 3C seismic data. Hydrophones, unlike geophones, detect changes in pressure rather than motion.

Synonyms: jug,  receiver,  seismometer

See related terms: accelerometer,  array,  cable,  channel,  check-shot survey,  coupling,  damping,  datum correction,  detector,  displacement,  downhole receiver,  dropout,  fan shooting,  first break,  four-component seismic data,  geophone interval,  ground roll,  group interval,  hodogram,  hydrophone,  image,  jug hustler,  multicomponent seismic data,  nest,  ocean-bottom cable,  random noise,  seismograph,  spread,  three-component seismic data,  velocity analysis