A seismic crew is a group of people who perform seismic tests to learn more about the geology of a particular area. The oil industry, which conducts extensive seismic research before drilling new oil wells, is the largest employer of seismic crews. Mineral exploration, natural gas exploration, and scientific research are all possible jobs for seismic crews. Crew members must be strong and capable of enduring extreme conditions, but there are no special educational requirements, as crews are trained on the job their employers.
When a seismic crew arrives at a survey site, one of the first things they do is set off a series of controlled explosions. Scientific instruments are used to track the behavior of these explosions in order to create a map of underground geological formations. Other measurements may be taken seismic crews in order to provide more information. Essentially, their goal is to generate usable data in a seismic survey causing a series of small earthquakes.
The person who sets explosive charges, known as a shooter or blaster, is one of the most dangerous positions on a seismic crew. Helpers, drillers, staging managers, troubleshooters, and line crew bosses are among the crew’s other members. Seismic crews may spend a long time on site, and they are frequently in remote locations, requiring helicopter delivery or a long hike in. The company will invest funds in development to make the site more accessible if it proves to be viable and promising.
Seismic crews are employed both on land and at sea. While their work is frequently commercial in nature, it can also generate useful information for the field of geology as a whole. A number of geological discoveries have been credited to the oil and mineral industries, which have been used in noncommercial settings. Research geologists may also collaborate with seismic crews to gather data on topics of interest.
To work on a seismic crew, it helps to be interested in math, science, and geology, and most companies require crew members to have a high school diploma. People usually start out as helpers, learning the ins and outs of the job and receiving training in workplace protocols designed to protect worker safety and ensure that information is accurate and useful. People can apply for higher-ranking positions on the seismic crew as they gain experience, which come with higher pay and benefits.