1. n. [Geophysics]

The location of an explosive seismic source below the surface. Before acquisition of surface seismic data onshore using explosive sources such as dynamite, holes are drilled at shotpoints and dynamite is placed in the holes. The shotholes can be more than 50 m [164 ft] deep, although depths of 6 to 30 m [20 to 98 ft] are most common and depth is selected according to local conditions. With other "surface" sources, such as vibrators and shots from air shooting, the shots occur at the Earth's surface.

See related terms: acquisition,  air shooting,  dynamite,  shotpoint,  source,  vibrator