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

Between 9 October and 9 November 2014, Geoscience Australia conducted a marine survey to assess CO2 storage potential in the Caswell Sub-basin. The survey collected high and low frequency sidescan sonar data using an Edgetech FS system mounted on an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). The data was gathered as part of the National CO2 Infrastructure Plan (NCIP) with contributions from NIWA and Fugro Survey.

Use Cases

• Characterizing seabed texture and morphology based on sidescan sonar backscatter data.
• Identifying potential indicators of natural fluid seepage to assess seal integrity for CO2 storage.
• Correlating high-resolution sonar data with other survey data like multibeam bathymetry and sub-bottom profiles.

Strengths

• Data was collected using a dedicated AUV mission (GA0346) for higher-resolution seabed mapping.
• Sidescan sonar parameters are explicitly documented, including dual frequencies (120/410 kHz), pulse types, and ranges.
• Survey context is well-defined, with a clear scientific objective to support CO2 storage assessment.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The spatial extent of the specific sidescan sonar data (7.7 km²) is smaller than the total multibeam survey area (455 km²).

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia, via the Australian Ocean Data Network.

Collection Method

Collected via an Edgetech FS sidescan sonar system mounted on an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) during the GA0346 survey leg.

Time Range

9 October to 9 November 2014.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-05 06:03:43.544014; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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