Perth Submarine Canyon Geomorphic Mapping with 20m Bathymetry

Geomorphic feature mapping of the Perth submarine canyon off southwest Australia, covering an area greater than 1500 km². The dataset applies a new genetic classification system to high-resolution bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data acquired in 2015. It was presented at the 2017 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting.

Use Cases

• Classifying seafloor features based on the new genetic classification approach described.
• Mapping potential benthic habitats using geomorphic feature mapping results.
• Analyzing submarine canyon morphology based on topographic metrics and shelf-incising status mentioned.
• Studying the link between geomorphic processes and seabed morphology in a Marine Protected Area.

Strengths

• Covers a large area of over 1500 km².
• Uses high-resolution 20m bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data.
• Applies a structured classification framework nested within a global seafloor mapping standard.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network, Geoscience Australia, Schmidt Ocean Institute.

Collection Method

Data acquired via multibeam echo-sounding and sub-bottom profiling, with sediment samples collected.

Time Range

Primary bathymetry data from 2015; sub-bottom datasets and sediment samples from 2005.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-17 01:36:42.243680; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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