Seismic Survey of Southern Lord Howe Rise and West Norfolk Ridge

3191 km of multichannel seismic data was acquired during a 1992 marine survey to investigate the geological framework of the Australia/New Zealand seabed boundary zone. The project aimed to define Australia's legal continental shelf and assess resource potential in a region covering approximately 1.65 million square kilometers. Data was collected by the Australian Ocean Data Network using a 3000 m streamer and 49 litre sleeve gun arrays.

Use Cases

• Map basin stratigraphy and structural features from 16-second deep crustal seismic reflection profiles.
• Model crustal characteristics and tectonic evolution using seismic velocity and reflection data across the ribbon continent.
• Delineate the extent of Australia's legal continental shelf using acquired geophysical data for maritime boundary negotiations.
• Assess hydrocarbon or mineral resource potential by analyzing seismic facies and structural traps within the southern Lord Howe Rise.

Strengths

• 3191 km of acquired seismic data with 30-fold coverage provides detailed subsurface imaging.
• Data quality was reported as very good, with noise levels within specifications during calm weather operations.
• Survey design included long regional transects extending from the Tasman Basin to the Norfolk Basin.

Limitations

• Data is from a single 1992 survey, making it temporally stale for contemporary dynamic studies.
• Approximately 3.5 days of data acquisition were lost due to bad weather and cable repairs.
• Primary data formats are HTML and PDF reports, not raw seismic data files, limiting direct analysis.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Marine survey acquiring multichannel seismic data using a 3000 m streamer and sleeve gun arrays.

Time Range

Survey conducted from 6 November to 3 December 1992.

Freshness

null

Geography

Southern Lord Howe Rise, West Norfolk Ridge, southern New Caledonia Basin in the Tasman Sea.