Perth Submarine Canyon Geomorphic Features and Habitat Mapping, 2015-2017

2015 and 2005 data were used to create a detailed geomorphic map of the Perth submarine canyon off southwest Australia. The dataset applies a new genetic classification system to high-resolution bathymetry and backscatter data covering an area greater than 1500 km². Results were presented at the 2017 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting.

Use Cases

• Classifying submarine canyon features based on topographic metrics and shelf-incising status described in the methodology.
• Mapping potential benthic habitats using the links between geomorphic processes and morphology.
• Applying the Harris et al. (2014) global seafloor mapping framework with nested genetic classification to a specific canyon system.
• Validating semi-automated geomorphic mapping approaches against acoustic backscatter and sediment sample data.

Strengths

• Integrates multiple data sources, including 20 m resolution bathymetry from 2015 and sub-bottom datasets from 2005.
• Covers a significant spatial area of over 1500 km² within an ecologically recognized Marine Protected Area.
• Applies a structured classification framework linking to established international standards from the IHO and CMECS.

Limitations

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

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data, with data acquired by the Schmidt Ocean Institute and Geoscience Australia.

Collection Method

Semi-automated geomorphic mapping applied to multibeam echo-sounding, acoustic backscatter, sub-bottom profiling, and sediment samples.

Time Range

Primary bathymetry from 2015, with supplementary data from 2005; analysis presented in 2017.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-30 13:03:22.665868; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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