Multibeam Sonar Backscatter Data for Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs, 2020

A 2020 survey collected multibeam sonar backscatter data for Middleton Reef and Elizabeth Reef within the Lord Howe Marine Park. The data, gridded at 4-meter resolution, provides baseline information for benthic habitats to support a 10-year environmental monitoring plan (2018-2028). The survey was a collaborative project involving Geoscience Australia, the University of Tasmania, NSW Department of Primary Industries, the University of Sydney, and Parks Australia.

Use Cases

• Modeling benthic habitat distribution based on multibeam sonar backscatter data.
• Establishing environmental baselines for marine park management zones.
• Integrating seafloor mapping data with complementary AUV imagery and sediment samples for habitat studies.

Strengths

• Data is gridded at a 4-meter spatial resolution.
• Survey was conducted as part of a formal 10-year management plan (2018-2028).
• Data collection involved multiple complementary methods (multibeam sonar, AUV imagery, sediment samples, BRUVs).

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia, via the Australian Ocean Data Network.

Collection Method

Data acquired via multibeam sonar (Kongsberg EM 2040C HD, 300 kHz) survey from the vessel TV Bluefin.

Time Range

Survey conducted from 31 January to 6 February 2020.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-10 20:20:51.834641; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Middleton Reef and Elizabeth Reef within the Lord Howe Marine Park, Australia.