We introduce a new detection algorithm with improved local and regional sei
smic signal recognition. The method is based on the difference between seis
mic signals and background random noise in terms of fractal dimension D. We
compare the new method extensively with standard methods currently in use
at the Seismic Network of the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica. Results from
the comparisons show that the new method recognizes seismic phases detecte
d by existing procedures, and in addition, it features a greater sensitivit
y to smaller signals, without an increase in the number of false alarms. Th
e new method was tested on real continuous data and artificially simulated
high-noise conditions and demonstrated a capability to recognize seismic si
gnals in the presence of high noise. The efficiency of the method is due to
a radically different approach to the topic, in that the assertion that a
signal is fractal implies a relationship between the spectral amplitude of
different frequencies. This relationship allows, for the fractal detector,
a complete analysis of the entire frequency range under consideration.