Abstract:
The invention is directed to structural bodies adapted to be towed through water by a seismic exploration vessel. Physical characteristics of the body are varied between a first mode wherein a relatively sharp discontinuity occurs in the velocity of water passing over the structural body and a second mode wherein the relatively sharp discontinuity is reduced. Various embodiments include varying the physical orientation of the body with respect to the direction of towing, varying the degree of resiliency of the towed body, varying the speed of towing of the body through the water, and varying the dimensional size of the body during towing.