Lord Howe Island Seabed Backscatter Grid from 2008 Marine Survey

Lord Howe Island shelf in New South Wales was surveyed by Geoscience Australia in 2008. The lh_back_8m grid provides processed EM300 backscatter data covering 1034 square kilometers, merged with pre-existing bathymetric data. Data acquisition involved the RV Southern Surveyor and included sediment sampling, video observation, and sub-bottom profiling.

Use Cases

• Model seabed hardness and texture based on backscatter intensity values.
• Characterize benthic environments by correlating backscatter data with colocated sediment and infauna samples.
• Map sediment thickness and shelf stratigraphy by integrating with sub-bottom profile data.
• Analyze seabed habitats using backscatter as a proxy for substrate type, informed by underwater video observations.

Strengths

• Covers a defined area of 1034 square kilometers.
• Integrates data from multiple sources, including a dedicated 2008 survey and pre-existing bathymetry.
• Collected alongside multiple complementary data types (sediment samples, video, coring).

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and data resolution specifics are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last updated 2026-04-10 19:07:28.287017; freshness should be verified.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia via the Australian Ocean Data Network.

Collection Method

Data acquired using the RV Southern Surveyor, with processing via CMST-GA MB Process.

Time Range

Primary survey conducted in 2008 (SS062008), incorporating some pre-existing data.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04 19:07:28.287017.

Geography

Lord Howe Island shelf, New South Wales, Australia.