Great Barrier Reef Surficial Cover Facies Maps with Bathymetric Zones

The Bureau of Mineral Resources developed reconnaissance-style maps documenting surficial cover facies on the Great Barrier Reef. These maps apply a simple bathymetric classification differentiating supratidal, intertidal, and subtidal zones, with intertidal levels approximated to astronomical tide datums at Townsville. Map resolution is variable, generally decreasing with water depth, and the data was compiled in 1982 and edited in 1983.

Use Cases

• Classifying reef surface cover types based on the documented surficial facies.
• Analyzing coastal zone bathymetry based on the supratidal, intertidal, and subtidal classifications.
• Studying historical reef conditions and morphology using the reconnaissance-style mapping technique.

Strengths

• Maps include a bathymetric classification differentiating three tidal zones.
• Maximum resolution was retained where possible to aid user location on the reefs.
• Data provenance includes specific compilation (1982) and editing (1983) dates and personnel.

Limitations

• The description states subsurface facies are not included and will be integrated on future maps.
• Map resolution is variable and generally decreases with increasing water depth.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.

Provenance

Source

Bureau of Mineral Resources (BMR), compiled by B.M. Radke.

Collection Method

Reconnaissance-style mapping technique for documenting surficial cover.

Time Range

Compiled 1982, edited 1983.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-16 10:19:46.692873; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Great Barrier Reef, Australia; intertidal zone referenced to Townsville datums.