Recherche Archipelago Inner Shelf Sediment Data: Quaternary Evolution

A dataset from the Australian Ocean Data Network, last updated 2026-06-16, examining the Quaternary evolution of the Recherche Archipelago inner shelf in south-western Australia. It integrates surficial sediments, video, multibeam sonar, cores, and shallow seismic data to understand sediment formation and preservation. The data reveals Holocene deposits up to 7 meters thick, dominated by carbonate gravels and sands.

Use Cases

• Modeling sediment accumulation patterns based on described Holocene deposits and seismic profiles.
• Analyzing the influence of granite basement topography on sediment sheltering and cementation.
• Studying the composition of carbonate 'factory' sediments based on described fragments of calcareous algae, molluscs, and bryozoans.

Strengths

• Integrates multiple data types: surficial sediments, video, multibeam sonar, cores, and shallow seismics.
• Describes specific sediment thicknesses, such as Holocene deposits up to 7 meters thick.
• Focuses on a globally significant region described as the world's largest modern cool-water carbonate depositional realm.

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 geographic bias inherent to the specific study area in south-western Australia.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Field collection of surficial sediments, video, multibeam sonar data, cores, and shallow seismics.

Time Range

Quaternary period, with focus on Holocene deposits.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-16 17:34:02.946995; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Recherche Archipelago inner shelf, south-western Australia, at the western margin of the Great Australian Bight.