Seismic array classified until the 1990s. Today they become part of the IMS as primary or auxiliary stations. Seismic arrays are not only used to monitor earthquakes and nuclear tests, but also used as a tool for investigating nature and source regions of microseisms as well as locating and tracking volcanic tremor and analyzing complex seismic wave-field properties in volcanic areas. Seismic arrays can be classified by size, which is defined by the array's aperture given by the largest distance between the single seismometers. The sensors in a seismic array are arranged in different geometry patterns horizontally. The arrays built in the
Seismic refraction Seismic refraction Seismic refraction is a geophysical principle (see refraction) governed by Snell's Law. Used in the fields of engineering geology, geotechnical engineering and exploration geophysics, seismic refraction traverses (seismic lines) are performed using a seismograph(s) and/or geophone(s), in an array and an energy source. The seismic refraction method utilizes the refraction of seismic waves on geologic layers and rock/soil units in order to characterize the subsurface geologic conditions and geologic structure. The methods depend on the fact that seismic waves have differing velocities in different types of soil (or rock): in addition, the waves are refracted when they cross