Posted by Bob
(here)
What is this off-shore 3D seismic explosive surveying?
There is a large risk of harm to the marine environment during the exploration phase if seismic airguns are used (Popper et al. 2005, Lucke et al. 2009, Oceana 2012).
During exploration for oil and gas formations seismic airguns are towed with a vessel and release pulses of sounds from 225 to 250 decibels several times per minute (Richardson et al. 1995). To put that number in perspective, the noise from a jet engine is 140 decibels—seismic airguns are 100,000 times more intense than a jet engine. Airguns produce sound by creating a compressed air bubble, which collapses under the pressure of the water (Popper et al. 2005). The surveys off the US Atlantic coast will have on average about 20,000,000 such explosions during the surveys.
The sound then reflects off geologic formations and is measured by hydrophone arrays towed behind a ship. The time it takes for sound to bounce back indicates the presence of oil and gas (Figure 2). These studies are often conducted continuously over the course of several weeks.
Surface view - vessel, airgun and hydrophone "strings" extended for miles behind the ship
The shock wave from those airguns, kills, explodes internal organs, creates embolisms.. Not good, not safe, not kind.