Exmouth Gulf Marine Seismic Survey Maps from 1961

A reconnaissance marine reflection seismic survey was conducted in Exmouth Gulf and coastal waters from Frazer Island to Bernier Island in 1961. The survey was a two-boat operation using Lorac radio navigation and sextant positioning, with shots recorded on magnetic tapes. Maps were constructed for horizons within Upper Cretaceous and Basal Cretaceous strata, pre-Cretaceous structure, time intervals, and water depth.

Use Cases

• Mapping subsurface geological horizons based on constructed maps for Horizon 'A' and Horizon 'B'.
• Analyzing pre-Cretaceous fault trends based on the survey's identification of major fault trends beneath the Gulf.
• Studying synclinal basin structure based on the survey's indication that Exmouth Gulf is synclinal in Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments.
• Correlating structural trends between land and marine areas based on the survey's tie between Rough Range-Cape Range and the Salt Marsh area.
• Investigating anticline axis location based on the survey's location of the pre-Cretaceous axis of the Cape Range Anticline.

Strengths

• Survey details are documented, including the two-boat operation and navigational methods (Lorac radio, sextant).
• Specific geological horizons and structures mapped are listed, including Upper Cretaceous Korojon Calcarenite and Basal Cretaceous unconformity.
• The survey provided a structural tie between two geographically distinct areas, Rough Range-Cape Range and the Salt Marsh.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect temporal bias inherent to a 1961 survey; modern techniques may yield different results.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

A reconnaissance marine reflection seismic survey conducted by West Australian Petroleum Pty Limited.

Time Range

1961

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-16 15:15:25.085617; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Exmouth Gulf and coastal waters along the west coast of Western Australia from Frazer Island to Bernier Island.