Patent ID: 7668047

Claim:
A method for acquiring seismic data comprising: a. providing a self-contained, seismic data collection unit having a fully enclosed case, said case having a wall defining an internal compartment within said case, at least one geophone internally fixed within said case, a clock disposed within said case, a power source disposed within said case and a seismic data recorder, wherein each of said clock, geophone and seismic data recorder includes an electrical connection and all electrical connections between said elements are contained within said case, and wherein said geophone is coupled to said seismic data recorder to permit seismic signals detected by said geophones to be recorded on said seismic data recorder; b. deploying the seismic data collection unit in a seismic acquisition spread; c. initiating operation the seismic data recorder to record seismic data; d. propagating an acoustic signal into the earth utilizing a seismic energy source; e. detecting said acoustic signal with said geophones and recording said acoustic signal with said seismic data recorder; f. continuing to operate said seismic data recorder once the propagated acoustic signal has been detected and recorded; g. repeating steps d-f for at least one additional cycle of propagating, detecting and recording, wherein said seismic data recorder is continuously operated during the foregoing cycle; h. retrieving the seismic data collection unit from deployment; i. after the seismic data collection unit has been retrieved, retrieving the data recorded on the seismic data recorder, j. providing a tilt meter within said case; k. following deployment, measuring the orientation of the unit utilizing the tilt meter and generating orientation data from said tilt meter; and l. correcting the effects of gravity on said unit clock utilizing the orientation data.