1976 Gravity Map of Australia at 1:5,000,000 Scale

Geoscience Australia Data published a 1:5,000,000 gravity map of Australia in 1976. The map was based on approximately 260,000 gravity observations from 300 surveys, processed over four months using a CDC Cyber 76 computer system. It includes Bouguer and free-air anomaly maps derived from the same data bank.

Use Cases

• Modeling subsurface density variations based on gravity anomaly data.
• Analyzing continental shelf and margin geology based on marine gravity coverage.
• Studying regional geophysical trends across Australia based on systematic reconnaissance data.
• Historical analysis of geophysical data collection and cartographic techniques from the 1970s.

Strengths

• Based on approximately 260,000 gravity observations from 300 surveys.
• Systematic reconnaissance gravity coverage of Australia was complete at the time of publication.
• Includes both Bouguer and free-air anomaly maps derived from the same data bank.

Limitations

• Data is from 1976; newer surveys may provide more current information.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Compiled from gravity observations obtained by various organizations, processed using a CDC Cyber 76 computer system and Calcomp plotters.

Time Range

Data collection likely spans from 1959 to 1976.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-25 17:44:55.206926; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Australia, including the continental shelf and margins.