Arafura Marine Park Bathymetry Survey, 2020

A 6-meter resolution bathymetry dataset for the Arafura Marine Park, collected from the RV Solander between 2-15 November 2020. Geoscience Australia and the Australian Institute of Marine Science produced this data to build baseline information on benthic habitats, supporting a 10-year management plan (2018-2028). The survey covered two areas, Money Shoal and Pillar Bank, and also collected seabed samples and underwater imagery.

Use Cases

• Modeling seafloor topography based on the 6 m resolution multibeam bathymetry data.
• Characterizing benthic habitats using the associated seabed samples and underwater imagery.
• Establishing environmental baselines for the North Marine Park Network as referenced in the 10-year management plan.
• Analyzing backscatter data for insights into seabed composition and texture.

Strengths

• Data has a high 6-meter spatial resolution for detailed seafloor analysis.
• Collection was part of a formal collaborative project funded by the National Environmental Science Program Marine Biodiversity Hub.
• A detailed post-survey report authored by subject matter experts is referenced for context.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and total file size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the two specific survey areas (Money Shoal and Pillar Bank).

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia and the Australian Institute of Marine Science.

Collection Method

Multibeam bathymetry and backscatter data collected via an EM2040C Dual Head system on the RV Solander, processed with CARIS HIPS and SIPS software.

Time Range

2 – 15 November 2020.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-25 19:09:08.567207; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Arafura Marine Park (Arafura Sea), specifically Money Shoal and Pillar Bank.