A vibroseis vehicle plays a crucial role in seismic exploration, a method for

• detecting subsurface structures and properties for geological studies
• mineral resource exploration
• exploration of deep geothermal reservoirs
• oil and gas exploration
• exploration of geological structures for the final disposal of e.g. radioactive waste

as well as other geophysical applications. Below is an explanation of how a vibroseis vehicle works in seismic exploration:

1. Goal of seismic exploration: The main goal of seismic exploration is to collect information about the composition and structure of the subsurface. This is particularly important to identify and characterise potential reservoirs.

2. Basic seismic method: The seismic method is based on the propagation of elastic waves (e.g. sound waves) in the subsurface. A seismic signal, often generated by a "shot", propagates through the ground and is reflected by the various layers. These reflected waves are registered by sensors (geophones) on the earth's surface.

3. Vibroseis method: The vibroseis method is a modern and efficient method in which a vibroseis vehicle is used to generate the seismic signal. In contrast to conventional methods that use explosions (shots), for example, the Vibroseis vehicle generates artificial seismic waves through mechanical vibration.

4. How the Vibroseis vehicle works:

• The Vibroseis vehicle is equipped with a large, powerful vibrator (Vibroseis source) that is pressed onto the ground.
• The vibrator generates controlled vibrations with different frequencies and amplitudes. These vibrations propagate underground as seismic waves.
• The seismic waves penetrate the ground and are reflected by the different layers of rock.
• The reflected waves are registered by the geophones placed on the earth's surface.
• The data obtained allows us to create a detailed picture of the structure and composition of the subsurface.

5. Advantages of the vibroseis method:

• Precise control over the seismic waves generated.
• Lower environmental impact compared to explosions.
• Efficient data acquisition and good imaging quality.

The vibroseis method has established itself as an important technique in seismic exploration and is widely used in modern geophysical research and resource exploration.