Seismic Signatures of Air Guns
Abstract
ABSTRACT Air guns have proved to be a very convenient and effective marine seismic source. As with any new tool, their introduction has been accompanied by, some controversy as to how they can best be used. Engineering compromises have to be made because of the inherent characteristics of the devices, and the final conclusions will vary with the weight assigned to different criteria of excellence. It is the purpose of this paper to report the experimental results obtained with one class of these devices, and demonstrate ways in which their performance can be improved. The absolute strength of the signal, and its wave shape, or time signature, will be used as prime criteria in the assessment of performance. Frequency spectra will also be used to confirm conclusions. INTRODUCTION The pneumatic seismic source, or air gun, consists of a chamber of specified volume containing air at a given pressure. A quick-opening valve is caused to open by an electrical firing signal, and the pressurized air is suddenly released to the surrounding water. It is this sudden expansion which propagates the desired seismic signal, and this action is completed within a few tens of milliseconds. Inertia of the displaced water allows the escaping air, or bubble, to expand to the point where the internal pressure drops below the hydrostatic pressure for the depth of submergence. This reduced pressure then allows the hydrostatic pressure to recompress the air, and a series of secondary pulses is…
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