Swath-Mapping Cruise Data for Southern Australian Continental Margin, 1994

Geoscience Australia Data provides a 1994 cruise proposal detailing a 35-day marine geophysical survey off Tasmania. The survey, conducted by the Australian Geological Survey Organisation using the R.V. L'Atalante, aimed to map 200,000 km² of the continental margin and abyssal plain. Data collection included multibeam sonar bathymetry, acoustic imagery, and 6-channel seismic reflection, magnetic, and gravity profiles.

Use Cases

• Modeling tectonic history and fault geometry based on swath-mapping imagery of the continental margin.
• Analyzing sedimentary structures and patterns to elucidate Tertiary sedimentary history.
• Mapping bathymetry and surface texture to help define Australia's Legal Continental Shelf.
• Investigating the breakup history of Australia and Antarctica based on fracture zone mapping of the abyssal plain.

Strengths

• Covers a large survey area of 200,000 km², described as three times the size of Tasmania.
• Utilized the SIMRAD EM12D system capable of mapping a 20 km wide swath at 10 knots, providing high-resolution data.
• Integrated multiple geophysical data types: bathymetry, acoustic imagery, seismic reflection, magnetics, and gravity.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• 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 / Australian Geological Survey Organisation (AGSO)

Collection Method

Proposed marine survey using the French research vessel L'Atalante with a SIMRAD EM12D multibeam sonar system.

Time Range

Proposed for a 35-day cruise from 16 January to 27 February 1994.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-20 01:31:28.740025; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Southern Otway Basin, Sorell Basin, South Tasman Rise, and adjacent abyssal plain off Tasmania, Australia.