1. n. [Geophysics]

A type of multicomponent seismic data acquired in a land, marine, or borehole environment by using three orthogonally oriented geophones or accelerometers. 3C is particularly appropriate when the addition of a hydrophone (the basis for 4C seismic data) adds no value to the measurement, as for example, on land. This technique allows determination of both the type of wave and its direction of propagation.

Alternate Form: three-component seismic data

See related terms: accelerometer,  geophone,  hydrophone,  multicomponent seismic data