Geomorphic Map of Perth Submarine Canyon from 20m Bathymetry

The Perth submarine canyon off southwest Australia, covering over 1500 km², is mapped using a new genetic classification system. Geoscience Australia applied this system to 20-meter resolution bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data acquired in 2015, supplemented by sub-bottom and sediment data from 2005. The work was presented at the 2017 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting.

Use Cases

• Classifying seafloor geomorphic features based on the nested genetic classification approach described.
• Mapping potential benthic habitats within the Marine Protected Area based on spatial patterns of seabed features.
• Analyzing submarine canyon form and process variation using topographic metrics and shelf-incising status mentioned in the description.

Strengths

• Applies a structured genetic classification framework nested within a global seafloor mapping system.
• Integrates multiple data sources, including 20m resolution bathymetry from 2015 and legacy sub-bottom data from 2005.
• Focuses on a specific, ecologically significant area of over 1500 km² within a Marine Protected Area.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The primary format listed is HTML, which may not contain the raw geospatial data files.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

High-resolution marine geophysical data acquisition (multibeam echo-sounding, sub-bottom profiling) and application of a new genetic classification system.

Time Range

Primary bathymetry data from 2015, with supplemental data from 2005.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-20 00:58:14.449240; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Perth submarine canyon, continental slope and shelf of southwest Australia, from 170 m to 4700 m water depth.