Marine Geological Samples and Heatflow Data from Tasmanian Margin

BMR Cruise 067 collected geological, geochemical, and heatflow data over the Otway and Sorell Basins off western Tasmania. The 29-day 1987 research cruise occupied 130 sampling stations using dredges, corers, grabs, and a heatflow probe. Scientists from the Australian Ocean Data Network gathered samples to assess petroleum potential and regional geology.

Use Cases

• Map hydrocarbon source rock maturity using heatflow calculations from 20 stations to estimate thermal maturation depth.
• Analyze thermogenic hydrocarbon distribution from headspace gas analyses of sediment cores across the Otway Basin.
• Develop regional sedimentation models by studying the variety of Quaternary sediments recovered from sampling stations.
• Correlate rock sample ages (Palaeozoic to late Tertiary) with water depth and seismic profiles to understand post-Eocene subsidence.
• Identify potential petroleum prospects by integrating geological sample data with seismic profile locations.

Strengths

• 130 sampling stations provide spatial coverage of the study area.
• Data integrates multiple collection methods: dredges, corers, grabs, and a heatflow probe.
• Samples were taken along seismic profiles for direct integration into geological frameworks.

Limitations

• Sample data and specific column definitions are unavailable.
• The dataset is from a single cruise in 1987, offering a historical snapshot rather than time-series data.
• Primary data formats are PDF and HTML reports, not structured data tables.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network.

Collection Method

Samples and measurements collected during the BMR Cruise 067 aboard R.V. Rig Seismic.

Time Range

1987.

Freshness

Historical data from 1987; metadata last updated April 2026.

Geography

Otway Basin and Sorell Basin of the west Tasmanian margin.