GA4848: Multibeam Sonar Backscatter of Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs

Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs within Australia's Lord Howe Marine Park were surveyed from January 31 to February 6, 2020. Geoscience Australia collected this multibeam sonar backscatter data to establish baseline information for benthic habitats, supporting a 10-year marine park management plan (2018-2028). The dataset includes two bathymetry grids with a 4-meter spatial resolution.

Use Cases

• Map benthic habitat types based on multibeam sonar backscatter data.
• Establish environmental baselines for monitoring within the National Park and Recreational Use Zones.
• Support marine park management planning based on high-resolution seabed topography.
• Integrate sonar data with complementary AUV imagery and sediment samples for holistic seabed analysis.

Strengths

• Data was collected using a Kongsberg EM 2040C HD multibeam sonar system at 300 kHz.
• Bathymetry grids are provided at a 4-meter spatial resolution.
• Survey was part of a collaborative project funded by the National Environmental Science Program Marine Biodiversity Hub.
• A detailed post-survey report is publicly available from the Marine Biodiversity Hub.

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.
• The description notes the data is not to be used for navigational purposes.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia, collected from the Australian Maritime College vessel TV Bluefin.

Collection Method

Multibeam sonar seabed mapping, supplemented by AUV imagery, sediment grabs, and baited remote underwater videos.

Time Range

January 31 to February 6, 2020.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-20 02:17:55.207825; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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