When the signal arrives, the sensor is activated for 40 game ticks (2 seconds). When a vibration is made within the range of a sculk sensor, a signal travels from the vibration source to the sensor at a speed of one block per game tick (20 blocks per second). Walking, falling, dropping items, or shooting a projectile all trigger the sensor. While sneaking, a player is not detected.
Vibrations are caused by various events, such as a player and mobs walking, placing or breaking blocks, gliding with elytra, items falling on the ground, a piston extending or a wet wolf shaking itself off. Sculk sensors detect vibrations in an 8 block spherical radius around it.
When active, it changes to a lighter block state without a change to the light level.