Great Artesian Basin Shale Volume Model For Aquifer Analysis

2,310 wells were used to calculate volume of shale (Vshale) values across 18 hydrogeological units in the Great Artesian and Lake Eyre Basins. This 3D geological model, produced by Geoscience Australia's National Groundwater Systems Project, provides a refined architecture of aquifer and aquitard geometry. The second iteration of the model, updated in 2023, infills previous data gaps with additional borehole and geophysical data.

Use Cases

• Mapping aquifer compartmentalization by analyzing Vshale distribution across 18 hydrogeological units.
• Identifying potential preferential groundwater flow paths by locating sand-rich areas within the 3D model.
• Assessing vertical and lateral variability of rock properties using the populated 3D geological surfaces.
• Supporting groundwater management decisions by providing a common framework for integrating water use and climate impact data.

Strengths

• Model populated with Vshale values calculated from 2,310 wells
• Covers 18 distinct hydrogeological units across four major basins
• Second iteration model incorporates additional data to infill previous knowledge gaps

Limitations

• Presence of data gaps acknowledged as requiring further study
• Model does not incorporate major faults or other structural features
• Requires integration of petrophysical and hydrogeological data for enhanced understanding

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia's National Groundwater Systems Project

Collection Method

Vshale values calculated from well logs; integrated with 3D geological and hydrogeological surfaces

Freshness

Model iteration completed in 2023; metadata indicates a 2026 platform update.

Geography

Eastern Australia, covering the Great Artesian Basin, Lake Eyre Basin, Surat, Eromanga, and Carpentaria Basins