Abstract: Method and apparatus for the generation of low frequency acoustic energy such as may be employed in carrying out seismic surveys in marine environment. In imparting an acoustic energy pulse into a body of water, a planar electroacoustic transducer having parallel transducer plates is employed. The transducer plates have conforming electrical conductive paths. An impulse of opposed current flow is applied to the conductive paths to produce an electromagnetic field between the conforming paths which forces the transducer plates apart, generating an acoustic impulse having a center band frequency of less than 350 hertz. The wave length of the acoustic impulse at this frequency is less than twice the major planar axis of the transducer. The conductive paths may be formed of elongated conductors which are oblong in cross section and cover most of the radiating surface of the transducer.