Predicted Seabed Sand Content for Darwin Harbour, 10-Meter Resolution

395 seabed samples and seven environmental variables were used to create a 10-meter resolution raster grid predicting sand content for Darwin and Bynoe Harbour. The model demonstrates high accuracy with a VEcv of 39% for sand, representing an 84.8% improvement over a common interpolation method. This dataset, funded by the INPEX-led Ichthys LNG Project and co-invested by Geoscience Australia and AIMS, supersedes previous predictions for the region.

Use Cases

• Modeling seabed habitat types based on predicted sand content for environmental management.
• Creating baseline thematic maps for marine spatial planning in northern Australian harbors.
• Validating and improving sediment prediction models using the described 84.8% accuracy improvement metric.
• Analyzing spatial patterns of seabed composition using the 10-meter resolution raster data.

Strengths

• Predictive accuracy for sand content is high, with a VEcv of 39%.
• Model represents an 84.8% improvement in predictive accuracy for sand over a commonly used method.
• Data is presented in a spatially continuous 10-meter resolution raster format.
• Compilation is based on 395 samples collected across multiple surveys between 2011 and 2017.

Limitations

• Absences in predictions occur due to non-availability of associated predictive variables.
• 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 Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Northern Territory Government's Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NTG-DENR).

Collection Method

Predictions derived from a compilation of multiple seabed surveys (GA0333, GA0341, GA0351, etc.) between 2011 and 2017, using seven environmental variables from multibeam sonar data.

Time Range

Survey data collected between 2011 and 2017.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-25 19:03:02.805401; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Greater Darwin Harbour and Bynoe Harbour region, northern Australian marine margin.