Hydrocarbon Seepage Features on Australia's Yampi Shelf

Active hydrocarbon seepage features are documented on the tropical Yampi Shelf in Northwest Australia. The Australian Ocean Data Network published this external scientific journal paper, which was last updated in April 2026. It correlates seabed features like gas plumes and pockmarks with sub-surface geophysical data such as seismic signal attenuation.

Use Cases

• Correlate gas plume locations in the water column with specific seabed features like reflective block clusters and pockmark fields.
• Analyze how seepage intensity varies with macro-tidal pressure cycles using time-series geophysical data.
• Map hydrocarbon migration pathways controlled by reactivated basement fractures and dykes using seismic discontinuity data.
• Study the influence of bioclastic sediments and high-energy currents on the preservation of seabed seepage features like mounds and hard-grounds.

Strengths

• First documented imaging of active present-day hydrocarbon seepage on an Australian tropical carbonate shelf.
• Analysis integrates multiple data types: water column gas plumes, seabed features, and sub-surface seismic attributes.

Limitations

• Specific data volume (rows, columns) and file size are unknown.
• The dataset is described in an HTML publication, suggesting raw structured data may not be directly accessible.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Geophysical imaging and scientific analysis documented in an external journal paper.

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

Yampi Shelf, Northwest Australia, in 50 to 90 meters water depth.