Fetch-Based Coastal Exposure Indices for Temperate Australia on a 0.01-Degree Grid

Two quantitative exposure indices—openness and bathymetry-altered fetch—modeled on a 0.01-degree grid across temperate Australia. The data, generated using cartographic fetch methods, describe potential exposure to locally generated seas and wave energy attenuation in shallow waters. These indices were published by the Australian Ocean Data Network and last updated in July 2026.

Use Cases

• Model coastal erosion and sediment transport based on the openness index.
• Assess wave energy resource potential for renewable energy projects based on the bathymetry-altered fetch index.
• Plan marine infrastructure and coastal defenses based on quantitative exposure metrics.
• Study the impact of fetch and bathymetry on nearshore wave climates for ecological research.

Strengths

• Data is provided on a consistent 0.01-degree spatial grid.
• Includes two distinct, physically-based indices: openness and bathymetry-altered fetch.
• Geographic coverage is specified for three Australian regions: South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania.

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.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to its focus on temperate Australia.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network via data_gov_au

Collection Method

Generated using cartographic fetch methods.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-07-22 01:37:39.787955; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Temperate Australia (South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania)