Patent ID: 7324406

Claim:
A sensor arrangement for use in seismic investigation of geological formations below the seabed comprising: a plurality of sensor nodes ( 20 ), which are positioned for deployment on the seabed to acquire pressure waves and shear waves from the geological formations and to transfer seismic data to a surface receiver, wherein each sensor node ( 20 ): (a) comprises a substantially cylindrical skirt ( 22 ) having a bottom with an opening, the bottom adapted to penetrate into the seabed; (b) comprises a housing ( 27 ) that encloses at least a first geophone ( 30 ) and that is positioned at the top of the cylindrical skirt ( 22 ); and, (c) is connected to a control unit ( 11 ) through an acoustic insulated cable ( 21 ), wherein the cable ( 21 ) is received into the sensor node ( 20 ) through an outlet formed in the upper part of the skirt ( 22 ), wherein the outlet discharges sediment when the sensor node is deployed.