Geófonos

Geófonos are seismic sensors that convert ground motion into an electrical signal. They are essential components in seismology and exploration geophysics for detecting and analyzing seismic waves, which are vibrations that travel through the Earth. These waves can be generated by natural sources like earthquakes or by artificial sources such as controlled explosions or vibrating trucks.

The primary function of a geófono is to measure the velocity of the ground as it moves. When seismic waves pass through the Earth, they cause the ground to oscillate. A geófono typically consists of a spring-mounted mass and a coil of wire within a magnetic field. As the ground moves, the housing of the geófono moves with it, but the mass, due to inertia, tends to remain stationary or lag behind. This relative motion between the coil and the magnetic field induces an electrical voltage proportional to the velocity of the ground motion.

Geófonos are widely used in earthquake monitoring to record the seismic activity of the Earth. In the oil and gas industry, they are employed in seismic surveys to create detailed maps of subsurface geological structures, aiding in the discovery of hydrocarbon reserves. They are also utilized in civil engineering for monitoring the stability of structures and in environmental studies to understand subsurface conditions. The sensitivity and frequency response of geófonos can be tailored for specific applications, making them versatile tools in geophysical investigations.