Seafloor Geomorphic Features of the Australian Margin at 250m Resolution

For the first time, the distribution of 21 seafloor geomorphic feature types has been systematically mapped over 48.9 million km² of the Australian margin and adjacent seafloor. The dataset, created by Geoscience Australia, includes 6,702 individual features identified using a 250 m spatial resolution bathymetry model and supporting literature. The mapped area covers the seafloor surrounding the Australian mainland and the island territories of Christmas, Cocos (Keeling), Macquarie, and Norfolk Islands.

Use Cases

• Classifying seafloor habitats based on the diagnostic assemblages of geomorphic features.
• Analyzing the distribution of coral reefs based on the 4,172 individual reef features mapped.
• Comparing global seafloor geomorphology patterns based on the relative representation of shelf, slope, and rise areas.
• Studying the complexity of continental margins where features like plateaus, terraces, and submarine canyons are present.

Strengths

• Covers a total area of 48.9 million km², providing a large-scale systematic view.
• Identifies 6,702 individual geomorphic features across 21 distinct types.
• Uses a consistent, high-resolution (250 m) bathymetry model for feature identification.
• Quantifies the area coverage of major zones: shelf (21.92%), slope (44.80%), and abyssal plain (32.20%).

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment for certain analyses.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the focus on the Australian margin.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Features identified using a 250 m spatial resolution bathymetry model and supporting literature.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-30 13:55:16.950277; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Australian margin and adjacent seafloor, including areas around Christmas, Cocos (Keeling), Macquarie, and Norfolk Islands.