AUV Sidescan Sonar Data from the Caswell Sub-basin Marine Survey, 2014

High and low frequency sidescan sonar data collected by an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) during a 2014 marine survey in the Caswell Sub-basin, Browse Basin. The survey, led by Geoscience Australia, aimed to assess the CO2 storage potential of the region by acquiring seabed and shallow geological information. The AUV collected 71 line kilometers of side scan sonar data along with other high-resolution sensor data.

Use Cases

• Characterizing seabed morphology and texture based on sidescan sonar backscatter data.
• Identifying potential indicators of fluid seepage or compromised seal integrity for CO2 storage assessment.
• Mapping geological features at high resolution using data from an Edgetech FS sonar system.
• Integrating sonar data with other survey data (multibeam, sub-bottom profiles, samples) for a comprehensive seabed analysis.

Strengths

• Data was collected using a specified Edgetech FS system with detailed operating parameters (e.g., 120/410 kHz, 5 Hz trigger, 100% power).
• Survey context is well-documented, including the vessel (RV Tangaroa), participating organizations (GA, NIWA, Fugro), and primary scientific objective.
• AUV-collected data provides higher resolution than broader shipboard surveys, covering 7.7 km² of multibeam and 71 line km of sidescan sonar.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data freshness should be verified; the last metadata update is dated 2026-06-27.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia, via the Australian Ocean Data Network.

Collection Method

Collected by an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) equipped with an Edgetech FS sidescan sonar system during survey GA0346.

Time Range

Survey conducted between 9 October and 9 November 2014.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-27 21:24:52.442663; freshness should be verified

Geography

Caswell Sub-basin, north-eastern Browse Basin, Australia.