Global Continental Residual Topography Estimates from Crustal Structure Analysis

A global database of 4,120 continental residual topography estimates, derived by correcting for crustal thickness and density variations. The data is based on 26,725 crustal thickness estimates from seismological surveys and a parameterization using 1,136 laboratory velocity-density measurements. It was published by Stephenson et al. in 2024 and is maintained by Geoscience Australia Data.

Use Cases

• Model mantle convection patterns based on long-wavelength residual topography anomalies.
• Correlate lithospheric thickness variations with residual topography estimates.
• Validate geodynamic models using comparisons with free-air gravity and upper mantle seismic velocity anomalies.
• Study intraplate magmatism distribution in relation to residual topography signals younger than 10 Ma.

Strengths

• Based on a large inventory of 26,725 continental crustal thickness estimates.
• Uses a physical parameterization derived from 1,136 laboratory measurements.
• Provides 4,120 specific measurements of residual topography.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Excludes Antarctica, limiting global continental coverage.
• Row count for the underlying databases is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data, accompanying Stephenson et al. (2024) article in Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth.

Collection Method

Assembled from global seismological datasets and laboratory measurements, with isostatic corrections applied.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-25 17:50:24.824154; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Global coverage for major continents, excluding Antarctica.