Australian Topography and Bathymetry Grid at 0.0025 Degree Resolution

A 2009 bathymetry and topography grid for Australia and its Exclusive Economic Zone integrates multibeam, single beam, and satellite-derived data. The service provides a 0.0025-degree resolution grid where direct observations are dense, blending it with coarser ETOPO data elsewhere. Compiled by Geoscience Australia, it excludes marine zones near Heard and McDonald Islands and the Australian Antarctic Territory.

Use Cases

• Generate coastal terrain models by integrating the 0.0025-degree onshore topography grid with adjoining bathymetry data.
• Analyze seafloor morphology using the compiled multibeam and single beam bathymetry data for the Australian shelf.
• Assess data resolution transitions by comparing areas with dense swath bathymetry to regions relying on the 2 arc-minute ETOPO satellite grid.

Strengths

• Integrates multiple authoritative data sources, including Geoscience Australia's revised topography grid and ETOPO satellite bathymetry.
• Provides high 0.0025-degree resolution for areas with dense direct observations like swath bathymetry.
• Covers a defined geographic scope encompassing Australia's topography and the bathymetry of its adjoining Exclusive Economic Zone.

Limitations

• Spatial resolution is inconsistent, dropping to 1 or 2 arc-minute satellite data in offshore areas lacking direct soundings.
• Excludes bathymetric data from Australia's marine jurisdiction near Heard and McDonald Islands and the Australian Antarctic Territory.
• Core bathymetric data is from 2009, which may be outdated for some contemporary applications.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Compiled from multibeam, single beam, digitised chart, and satellite-derived (ETOPO) sources, integrated with revised topography grids.

Time Range

Bathymetry data compiled in 2009; referenced topography grids from 2005-2008.

Freshness

Metadata updated March 2026, but underlying bathymetry data compiled in 2009.

Geography

Topography of Australia and bathymetry of the adjoining Australian Exclusive Economic Zone.