The present invention provides an accelerated weight drop for use as a seismic energy source, a method for operating an accelerated weight drop for use as a seismic energy source, and a seismic survey system including the accelerated weight drop. The accelerated weight drop, among other elements, includes a strike plate positionable on a surface, and a striker positionable over the strike plate. The accelerated weight drop further includes a compressed gas spring configured to drive the striker toward the strike plate thus creating seismic waves within the surface, wherein the striker is slidably coupled to the compressed gas spring and the striker and the compressed gas spring rotatably coupled to the strike plate about an axis.