Patent ID: 8167082

Claim:
A method for inducing seismic energy waves in a subterranean formation comprising the steps of: providing a seismic transducer apparatus comprising a frame, a baseplate attached to the frame, the baseplate having a flat lower surface for engagement of a ground surface, the baseplate having a circumference, a reaction mass supported by the frame, and a driver configured to actuate the reaction mass in a reciprocating motion; wherein the circumference of the baseplate is in the form of a polygon, wherein the polygon comprises at least five sides to form a polygonal baseplate; engaging the ground surface with the polygonal baseplate; actuating the reaction mass via the driver in a vertical reciprocating motion; allowing vibratory energy to be imparted vertically to the flat lower surface of the polygonal baseplate so as to propagate seismic energy waves downward in the subterranean formation; allowing the seismic energy waves to propagate through the subterranean formation so as to produce reflected and refracted seismic energy waves; and detecting one or more of the reflected and refracted seismic energy waves.