Vulcan Transect: Crustal Seismic and Gravity Data from Australia to the Timor Trough

Wide-angle seismic data from ocean bottom seismographs, together with gravity and deep marine reflection profiling data, define crustal-scale features along the Vulcan transect in northern Australia. The dataset, provided by Geoscience Australia, outlines the crustal and upper mantle architecture across the boundary between the Australian and SE Asian plates. It includes interpretations of crustal thickness, basin sequences, and evidence of intrusive rocks at depth.

Use Cases

• Modeling crustal thinning from 35 km to 26 km based on seismic and gravity data.
• Analyzing the structure of the Vulcan Sub-Basin as a trans-tensional rift within Permo-Triassic platform areas.
• Investigating mid-crustal detachments or intrusive rocks based on strong near-vertical-incidence reflections at about 13 km depth.
• Studying upper mantle compositional boundaries using seismic energy reflected from 38-45 km depth.

Strengths

• Integrates multiple geophysical data types: wide-angle seismic, gravity, and deep marine reflection profiling.
• Provides specific crustal thickness measurements, such as 35 km near the coast and 26 km under the outer shelf.
• Includes interpreted geological features like basin sequences thickening to 12-13 km and an attenuation factor (ß=2.6).

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the specific transect location.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Collected via ocean bottom seismographs and marine reflection profiling.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-30 15:18:06.121624; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Vulcan transect in northern Australia, between the Precambrian Australian craton and the Timor Trough.