Abstract: A method and apparatus for seismic geophysical exploration including a seismic energy source, a control means, a plurality of geophones, and a plurality of geophone monitoring means, all located in a selected survey area. Each geophone monitoring means is positioned in relatively close physical proximity and electrically coupled to one or more of the geophones forming a set of geophones. The control means is utilized to generate electrical signals containing data initiating the operation of the seismic energy source and the plurality of geophone monitoring means. The electrical signals generated by the various geophones in a set responsive to a particular shot of the seismic energy source are received by the associated geophone monitoring means. Apparatus contained within the associated geophone monitoring means samples such geophone signals and produces representative data in digital form. The digitized data is stored in a memory device contained within the geophone monitoring means.