Australia's Seabed Map 2023: 250m Resolution Bathymetry Grid

A 2023 revision of Australia's continental-scale seabed map, representing decades of data collection and analysis. The dataset is compiled from 1582 individual surveys using multibeam echosounders, LiDAR, and other sources, and covers an area from 92°E to 172°E and 8°S to 60°S. It provides a three-dimensional picture of the seafloor and is produced by the Australian Ocean Data Network.

Use Cases

• Modeling seafloor topography for offshore infrastructure planning based on the 250m resolution bathymetry grid.
• Supporting area-based environmental management and conservation planning based on the three-dimensional picture of the seafloor.
• Conducting scientific research on marine geology and habitats based on the compilation of multibeam and LiDAR survey data.
• Enhancing public education materials with a seamless land-sea transition map incorporating satellite-derived bathymetry.

Strengths

• Compiled from 1582 individual surveys using technologies like multibeam echosounders and LiDAR.
• Covers a vast area from 92°E to 172°E and 8°S to 60°S, including territories like Norfolk Island and Christmas Island.
• Represents a significant improvement over the 2009 revision, incorporating new innovations like satellite data for coastline definition.

Limitations

• The 250m resolution is only supported where direct bathymetric observations are sufficiently dense; in many regions, the grid size exceeds the optimal resolution of the input data.
• The map is not suitable for navigation and does not replace products from the Australian Hydrographic Office.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Compiled from 1582 individual surveys using multibeam echosounders, single-beam echosounders, LiDAR, 3D seismic first returns, Electronic Navigation Charts, and satellite-derived bathymetry.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-27 21:19:36.333360; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Area from 92°E to 172°E and 8°S to 60°S, including areas adjacent to the Australian continent, Tasmania, Macquarie Island, Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Excludes areas offshore from Heard and McDonald Islands and the Australian Antarctic Territory.