A 6-meter resolution bathymetry dataset for the Arafura Marine Park, collected by Geoscience Australia and the Australian Institute of Marine Science from November 2-15, 2020. The survey provides baseline information for benthic habitats, including multibeam bathymetry, backscatter, seabed samples, and underwater imagery from Money Shoal and Pillar Bank. It was funded by the National Environmental Science Program Marine Biodiversity Hub to support a 10-year management plan (2018-2028).
Use Cases
- Map seabed topography based on the 6-meter resolution bathymetry data.
- Analyze benthic habitat composition based on seabed samples and underwater imagery.
- Support environmental monitoring programs based on the baseline data collected for the 10-year management plan.
- Study demersal fish communities based on the underwater imagery collected.
Strengths
- Data collected over a specific 14-day period (November 2-15, 2020) by authoritative institutions.
- Includes multiple data types: multibeam bathymetry, backscatter, seabed samples, and underwater imagery.
- Provides a 6-meter resolution geospatial product for two defined areas (Money Shoal and Pillar Bank).
Limitations
- 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
- Collection Method
- Data acquired via multibeam sonar (EM2040C Dual Head system) and processed with CARIS HIPS and SIPS software.
- Time Range
- 2020-11-02 to 2020-11-15
- Freshness
- Last updated 2026-04-16 15:37:20.095014; freshness should be verified.
- Geography
- Arafura Marine Park (Arafura Sea), specifically Money Shoal and Pillar Bank.