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Story: Oil and gas

Seismic survey

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Seismic survey

A geologist fires off an explosive device near Hanmer Springs, in Canterbury. The shock waves bounce off underground rock layers and back towards the surface, where they are recorded by sensitive instruments. The data gathered is used to draw maps of the underground structures. This helps geologists pinpoint areas where oil and gas might be trapped.

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GNS Science

Reference: CN19413/17

by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Roger Gregg and Carl Walrond, Oil and gas – How oil and gas form, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/9759/seismic-survey (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Roger Gregg and Carl Walrond, published 2 March 2009.