Multibeam Sonar Backscatter Data for Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs, 2020

Multibeam sonar backscatter data for Middleton Reef and Elizabeth Reef within the Lord Howe Marine Park. The data was collected by Geoscience Australia from January 31 to February 6, 2020, as part of a collaborative project funded by the National Environmental Science Program Marine Biodiversity Hub. This survey provides baseline information for benthic habitats to support a 10-year environmental monitoring plan (2018-2028).

Use Cases

• Map seafloor composition and texture based on multibeam sonar backscatter data.
• Establish baseline benthic habitat maps for monitoring within National Park and Recreational Use Zones.
• Integrate sonar data with complementary AUV imagery and sediment samples for habitat classification.

Strengths

• Data collected during a dedicated survey from January 31 to February 6, 2020.
• Bathymetry grids are provided at a 4-meter spatial resolution.
• Survey was a collaborative effort involving multiple research institutions and government agencies.

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, collected on the Australian Maritime College vessel TV Bluefin.

Collection Method

Seabed mapping using a Kongsberg EM 2040C HD multibeam sonar (300 kHz).

Time Range

January 31 to February 6, 2020.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-16 09:55:58.417589; freshness should be verified.

Geography

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