Seismic techniques are based on the study of the propagation of elastic waves produced by an artificial source (hammer, explosives, etc.). Through the subsoil, and detected surface or by drilling a series of sensors (geophones, etc.. ). With these studies a picture emerges of the land based on the elastic properties of the constituent materials and follows, therefore, the geometry of geological structures at depth.

These techniques are applied to research to obtain: morphologies of the subsoil,compaction and fracturing state of the materials, measurement sismoelastic parameters used in the construction engineering, geotechnical, etc.

Its use in civil engineering often uses methods: refraction, reflection, down-hole, cross-hole and REMI. The first four are active methods require an artificial source to generate seismic waves, and the REMI is a passive method, which are recorded and analyzed the vibrations generated mainly by human activities.

The marine seismic, refers to the use of reflection and refraction methods adapted to aquatic conditions, using a specific technology.