Great Artesian Basin Vshale Model: 3D Geological and Hydrogeological Surfaces

Geoscience Australia's National Groundwater Systems Project produced a 3D geological and hydrogeological model of the Great Artesian Basin and Lake Eyre Basin. The model is populated with volume of shale (Vshale) values calculated from 2,310 wells across the Surat, Eromanga, Carpentaria, and Lake Eyre basins. This second iteration of the model provides a refined architecture of aquifer and aquitard geometry for 18 hydrogeological units.

Use Cases

• Mapping aquifer compartmentalisation based on sand body development and hydraulic characteristics.
• Identifying potential preferential groundwater flow paths based on regional extents of sand-rich areas.
• Assessing the impact of water use and climate change on groundwater systems using a common 3D framework.
• Refining hydrogeological conceptualisation based on the proxy for internal, lateral, and vertical variability of rock properties.

Strengths

• Model is based on Vshale values calculated from 2,310 wells.
• Provides a refined architecture for 18 distinct hydrogeological units.
• Builds on a previous iteration and infills data gaps with additional borehole, airborne electromagnetic, and seismic interpretation.

Limitations

• Data gaps exist and require further study, as noted in the description.
• The need to integrate petrophysics and hydrogeological data is identified as a limitation.
• Incorporating major faults and other structures would enhance understanding, suggesting current model may lack them.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia's National Groundwater Systems Project, part of the Exploring for the Future program.

Collection Method

Vshale modelling based on 3D geological and hydrogeological surfaces updated with data from wells, airborne electromagnetic, and seismic interpretation.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-16 15:46:04.104468

Geography

Great Artesian Basin and Lake Eyre Basin in Eastern Australia, covering the Surat, Eromanga, Carpentaria, and Lake Eyre basins.