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damping

1. n. [Geophysics]

The opposition, slowing or prevention of oscillation, or decreasing vibration amplitude, as kinetic energy dissipates. Frictional damping can be important in the use of geophones for seismic surveys, since a vibrating instrument is difficult to read. Eddy currents can produce electromagnetic damping. The classic example of damping from physics is the slowing of a swinging pendulum unless it has a steady supply of energy.

See: critical dampingeddy currentgeophoneseismic survey