Geomorphic Features of the Perth Submarine Canyon from 20m Bathymetry

High-resolution geomorphic mapping data for the Perth submarine canyon, covering an area greater than 1500 square kilometers. The dataset applies a new genetic classification system to bathymetry and acoustic backscatter data collected in 2015 by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, combined with sub-bottom and sediment data from Geoscience Australia in 2005. Results were presented at the 2017 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting.

Use Cases

• Classifying seafloor geomorphic features based on the nested Harris et al. (2014) global framework.
• Mapping potential benthic habitats based on spatial patterns of seabed morphology.
• Analyzing submarine canyon variation using topographic metrics and shelf-incising status.
• Applying semi-automated geomorphic mapping techniques to high-resolution bathymetry data.

Strengths

• Covers an area greater than 1500 square kilometers from 170 to 4700 meters water depth.
• Integrates multiple data sources, including 20m resolution bathymetry from 2015 and sediment samples from 2005.
• Applies a structured genetic classification approach nested within an established global seafloor mapping framework.

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

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

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

Time Range

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

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-14 04:23:50.758520; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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