Palaeozoic Aquifers in the Canning Basin, Western Australia

A reconnaissance hydrogeological study of major Palaeozoic aquifers in the Canning Basin, Western Australia, conducted by the Australian Ocean Data Network. The analysis is based on data from 30 oil exploration wells and investigates groundwater flow, temperature, and salinity in relation to Zn-Pb mineralisation. The dataset was last updated on May 5, 2026.

Use Cases

• Model groundwater flow direction and velocity based on the reported southeast-to-west/northwest flow pattern and velocity range of 0.2 to 0.5 m y-1.
• Analyze aquifer interconnectivity and structure based on the described complex tectonic and erosional effects linking Palaeozoic and younger aquifers.
• Compare present and historical hydrogeological regimes for ore formation based on the study's suggestion of differences between the present and Silurian-Permian regimes.
• Evaluate compaction-driven and gravity-driven fluid-flow models for Zn-Pb deposit formation based on the described geopressured zone evidence.

Strengths

• Analysis is based on data from 30 oil exploration wells, providing a concrete data foundation.
• The study covers a large geographic area, focusing on the Canning Basin's onshore area of 430,000 km².
• Provides specific physical measurements, including groundwater temperature ranges from 30 to 83°C and salinity trends.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The description notes insufficient information on tectonics, palaeotopography, and mineralisation age to assess gravity-driven fluid flow models.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Reconnaissance study based on analysis of data from 30 oil exploration wells.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-05 00:47:27.465808; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Canning Basin, Western Australia