diff --git a/sfm/shape_metrics.py b/sfm/shape_metrics.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..05c9dd5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sfm/shape_metrics.py
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+"""Waveform-shape metrics for false-trigger detection.
+
+A false trigger is an isolated impulse (quiet → spike → quiet); a real event
+rings for many cycles. Two numbers separate them: crest factor (how far the
+peak stands above the typical sample) and how many samples sit near the peak.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+import numpy as np
+
+_GEO_CHANNELS = ("Tran", "Vert", "Long")
+NEAR_PEAK_FRACTION = 0.5   # a sample "near the peak" is >= this * peak amplitude
+
+
+def channel_shape(x) -> dict | None:
+    x = np.asarray(x, dtype=float)
+    if x.size < 2:
+        return None
+    peak = float(np.max(np.abs(x)))
+    if peak <= 0:
+        return None
+    rms = float(np.sqrt(np.mean(x ** 2)))
+    if rms <= 0:
+        return None
+    near = int(np.sum(np.abs(x) >= NEAR_PEAK_FRACTION * peak))
+    return {"crest_factor": peak / rms, "near_peak_count": near,
+            "sample_count": int(x.size)}
+
+
+def shape_from_samples(chans: dict) -> dict | None:
+    best_axis, best_peak, best_x = None, -1.0, None
+    for ax in _GEO_CHANNELS:
+        x = chans.get(ax)
+        if x is None:
+            continue
+        x = np.asarray(x, dtype=float)
+        if x.size < 2:
+            continue
+        p = float(np.max(np.abs(x)))
+        if p > best_peak:
+            best_axis, best_peak, best_x = ax, p, x
+    if best_axis is None:
+        return None
+    s = channel_shape(best_x)
+    if s is None:
+        return None
+    s["axis"] = best_axis
+    return s
+
+
+def shape_from_h5(path) -> dict | None:
+    import h5py
+    try:
+        with h5py.File(path, "r") as f:
+            chans = {ax: f[f"samples/{ax}"][:] for ax in _GEO_CHANNELS
+                     if f"samples/{ax}" in f}
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+    return shape_from_samples(chans)
diff --git a/tests/test_shape_metrics.py b/tests/test_shape_metrics.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ae23475
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_shape_metrics.py
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+import numpy as np
+from sfm.shape_metrics import channel_shape, shape_from_samples
+
+def test_needle_spike_high_crest_few_near_peak():
+    x = np.zeros(1024); x[500] = 1.0          # one isolated spike
+    s = channel_shape(x)
+    assert s["sample_count"] == 1024
+    assert s["crest_factor"] > 15             # peak towers over rms
+    assert s["near_peak_count"] <= 3          # almost nothing near the peak
+
+def test_ringing_low_crest_many_near_peak():
+    t = np.arange(1024)
+    x = np.sin(2*np.pi*t/32) * np.exp(-t/4000)  # decaying oscillation
+    s = channel_shape(x)
+    assert s["crest_factor"] < 6
+    assert s["near_peak_count"] > 30          # many samples near the peak
+
+def test_channel_shape_none_for_unusable():
+    assert channel_shape(np.zeros(1024)) is None   # flat / all-zero
+    assert channel_shape(np.array([1.0])) is None  # too short
+
+def test_shape_from_samples_picks_max_peak_axis():
+    chans = {"Tran": np.zeros(1024), "Vert": np.zeros(1024), "Long": np.zeros(1024)}
+    chans["Long"][10] = 0.5
+    chans["Vert"] = np.sin(np.arange(1024)/5) * 0.01
+    s = shape_from_samples(chans)
+    assert s["axis"] == "Long"                # Long has the biggest peak
+    assert s["near_peak_count"] <= 3
+
+def test_shape_from_samples_none_when_no_geo():
+    assert shape_from_samples({"MicL": np.ones(1024)}) is None