Perth Submarine Canyon Geomorphic Features and Habitat Mapping

A 1500 km2 area of the Perth submarine canyon off southwest Australia is mapped using a new genetic classification system. The mapping is based on 20 m resolution bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data from 2015, plus sub-bottom data and sediment samples from 2005. The dataset was presented at the 2017 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting and aims to better define potential benthic habitats within the Marine Protected Area.

Use Cases

• Classifying seafloor geomorphic features based on the Harris et al. (2014) global framework and nested genetic classification.
• Mapping potential benthic habitats using high-resolution bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data.
• Analyzing submarine canyon form and process variation using topographic metrics and shelf-incising status.
• Applying semi-automated geomorphic mapping approaches to preserve links between geological processes and morphology.

Strengths

• Covers an area greater than 1500 km2 from 170 m to 4700 m water depth.
• Integrates multiple data sources: 20 m resolution bathymetry (2015), sub-bottom profiles, and sediment samples (2005).
• Applies a structured genetic classification system nested within an established global seafloor mapping framework.

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 a single canyon system.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia, Schmidt Ocean Institute, Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Acquired via multibeam echo-sounding, sub-bottom profiling, and sediment sampling.

Time Range

Primary bathymetry data from 2015; supplementary data from 2005.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-10 18:14:34.048943; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Perth submarine canyon, continental slope and shelf of southwest Australia.