Blue Holes of Pompey Reefs in the Great Barrier Reef

Two blue holes at Cockatoo and Molar Reefs, measuring 240-295 meters in diameter and 30-40 meters deep. The dataset, from the Australian Ocean Data Network, describes their morphology, sediment fans, and biological associations, suggesting they are collapsed dolines formed over multiple low sea-level periods. It was last updated on 2026-06-04.

Use Cases

• Analyze submarine karst formation processes based on described doline collapse and sediment infill.
• Model coral reef geomorphology based on detailed slope angles (60-70°, 45°) and depth profiles.
• Study biological-sedimentary associations in unique reef environments based on the described distinct associations.
• Reconstruct Holocene sea-level changes based on evidence of pre-Holocene surfaces and subsequent coral growth.

Strengths

• Provides specific dimensional data: holes are 240-295 m in diameter and 30-40 m deep.
• Includes detailed morphological observations, such as inner slopes of 60-70° and sediment fan development.
• Offers a geological hypothesis (collapsed dolines) supported by seismic refraction studies showing an 8.5-11 m pre-Holocene surface.

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to data_gov_au, focusing only on two specific reef sites.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Seismic refraction studies and field observations.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-04 08:50:15.075654; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Cockatoo and Molar Reefs, Pompey hard line reefs, Great Barrier Reef