A seismic vibrator or vibroseis is a truck-mounted device that is capable of injecting low-frequency vibrations into the earth. It is one of a number of seismic source

Seismic source

A seismic source is a device that generates controlled seismic energy used to perform both reflection and refraction seismic surveys. A seismic source can be simple, such as dynamite, or it can use more sophisticated technology, such as a specialized air gun. Seismic sources can provide single...

s used in reflection seismology

Reflection seismology

Reflection seismology is a method of exploration geophysics that uses the principles of seismology to estimate the properties of the Earth's subsurface from reflected seismic waves. The method requires a controlled seismic source of energy, such as dynamite/Tovex, a specialized air gun or a...

. Seismic vibrators are used to perform about half of all seismic surveys on land.

The plot of Ken Follett

Ken Follett

Ken Follett is a Welsh author of thrillers and historical novels. He has sold more than 100 million copies of his works. Four of his books have reached the number 1 ranking on the New York Times best-seller list: The Key to Rebecca, Lie Down with Lions, Triple, and World Without End.-Early...

's 1998 thriller The Hammer of Eden

The Hammer of Eden

The Hammer of Eden is a work by Ken Follett. It is about a group of people living together in a commune cut off from the rest of the world. When their commune is threatened by a plan to build a dam, they turn desperate and devise a devious plan to arm twist the governor of California to abandon the...

turns on the use of a stolen seismic vibrator truck by ecoterrorists.

External links

• Vibrating the earth: Vibroseis Video of a seismic vibrator in use
• Seismic Research at the KGS, description of seismic vibrator and how the Kansas Geological Survey uses it
• Alaska Department of Fish and Game, image of a vibroseis in use
• Geosys IVI Pictures and descriptions of seismic vibrators manufactured by Geosys, Inc. of Japan
• Vibrator truck Images of a vibrator trucks used by the University of Calgary