BFG-1000 series acoustic source
The BFG-1000 series is designed to maximize data quality. Each part has been designed to minimize the acoustic signature of the Betsy Gun while maximizing the safety of the users.
Premium Seismic Data
The BFG-1000 series is designed to maximize data quality, and excite the broadest spectrum of waves for any impulsive land source not requiring an explosives license. Each part has been designed to optimize the seismic wavefield, reduce post-ignition surface noise, and maximize the safety of the users. In a single shot, Betsy Guns produce shear waves (SV) which can be detected on vertical component geophones and processed in tandem with the P-waves to yield Vp/Vs and other physical properties.
Safety-focused design
The BFG-1000 series is safer than a sledgehammer, and is the ideal choice for universities, government agencies, and many industrial applications. The BFG-1000 series is operated while the users stand clear at the safe distance of 20 feet, in contrast to many other betsy gun systems which need to be held and fired by the user. The Betsy gun is loaded, assembled, and made totally safe in the ground prior to any connection to the ignition system.
Cost effective high-resolution imaging
In a single shot Betsy Gun systems excite the broadest spectrum of waves for any impulsive land source not requiring an explosives license. The Betsy Gun operates at a fraction of the cost of vibroseis, electro-mechanical vibrators, or explosives, and has far less environmental impact.
Availability
The 1000 series is not considered a firearm, similar to a powder driven nailer, and does not require special licensing for use or ownership. The BFG-100 and its ammunition can be shipped most places in the United States and Canada, and is available in charges up to 117kJ, about 100 times the energy of a sledgehammer strike. The ease of use and low cost allows for the incorporation of the BFG-1000 in most all seismic surveys regardless of scale.
Superior low-frequency for surface wave studies or FWI
Betsy Guns produce superior data on the low end of the spectrum, and are the best source for shallow surface wave analysis including SASW, MASW and ReMi. Above: 48 channel (3m spacing) Betsy Gun shot gather showing rayleigh waves and SV reflections. Left panel shows raw data. Subsequent panels are low-passed with progressively lower corner frequency, 10Hz, 5Hz, 3Hz and 2Hz. Because the frequency content of a rayleigh wave depends on the energy level of the source, this can not be done with a sledgehammer even with
High-frequency P-wave land seismic source
This is the same source gather as above, only the top 240 ms are shown here. Left panel shows raw data. Subsequent panels are high-passed with progressively higher corner frequency, 100Hz, 125Hz, 150Hz and 175Hz. Note the reflection that was invisible in the unfiltered data that became clear upon high-pass filtering. We could not identify this reflection in colocated sledgehammer data, despite stacking twenty shots.