Patent ID: 8924158

Claim:
A seismic acquisition system, comprising: a seismic sensor system to detect seismic signals and seismic noise generated during a survey of a subterranean structure, the seismic sensor system including a distributed optical sensor that comprises a generally continuous length of optical fiber without discrete sensors for positioning outside the subterranean structure for detection of the seismic noise; a processing subsystem; and an interrogation subsystem configured to: generate optical pulses to emit into the generally continuous length of optical fiber, wherein the optical pulses are selected to provide a spatial resolution that is less than a wavelength of the seismic noise; receive, from the distributed optical sensor, backscattered light generated by inhomogeneities at locations extending along the continuous length of optical fiber responsive to the emitted optical pulses, wherein the backscattered light generated by the inhomogeneities is indicative of at least the seismic noise; and output data corresponding to the backscattered light to the processing subsystem to determine a characteristic of the subterranean structure, wherein the output data includes a measurement of the detected seismic noise, wherein the processing subsystem uses the measurement of the detected seismic noise to at least reduce components of seismic noise that are present in the detected seismic signals.