PyPicker - Seismic Waveform Picker

A simple Python-based GUI for seismic waveform visualization, frequency analysis, and manual arrival picking. It utilizes PyQt6 for the interface, PyQtGraph for high-performance plotting, and ObsPy for seismic data handling.

Features

• Waveform Visualization: Load SAC, MSEED, and other formats supported by ObsPy.
• Spectrum Analysis: Toggle between time-domain waveforms and frequency-domain spectra (Log/Lin scales).
• Signal Processing: Integrated demeaning, detrending, and filtering (HighPass, LowPass, BandPass).
• Interactive Picking:
  • Single-click to pick arrival times.
  • Drag vertically while picking to define uncertainty.
  • Supports P, S, and custom phase labels.
• Data Export: Save picks back into SAC headers or export a picking summary to CSV.
• Customizable: Use config.json to define keyboard shortcuts and UI colors.

Project Structure

• seismic_picker_qt.py: The main application script (GUI and logic).
• picker_utils_qt.py: Utility functions for signal processing, file I/O, and SAC header management.
• config.json: Configuration file for shortcuts and visual themes.
• requirements.txt: List of Python dependencies.

License

The code is released under GNU General Public License

Installation

1. Create a Virtual Environment

It is recommended to use a virtual environment to avoid dependency conflicts.

# Create environment
python -m venv pypicker

# Activate (Windows)
pypicker\Scripts\activate

# Activate (macOS/Linux)
source pypicker/bin/activate

2. Install Dependencies

Use the provided requirements.txt file:

pip install -r requirements.txt

Note: The requirements include PyQt6, Obspy, pyqtgraph, and numpy.

How to Use

1. Run the application:

python seismic_picker_qt.py

2. Open Data: Click "Open Waveforms" and select your seismic files.

3. Pick Arrivals:

• Ensure "Waveform" mode is active.

• Click on the trace to set a pick.

• While holding/moving the mouse vertically, the purple shaded area (uncertainty) will expand/contract.

• Release or click again to finalize.

4. Navigation: Use the sidebar or keyboard shortcuts (default: A for previous, D for next) to cycle through stations.

5. Save: Use "Save as SAC" to modify the original file headers or "Export CSV" for a text summary.

Default Shortcuts

Can be modified in config.json:

• A / D: Previous / Next Station

• P: Select P phase

• S: Select S phase

• R: Reset Zoom

• F: Toggle BandPass filter