Interpreted Bedrock Geology of Western Australia at 1:100,000 Scale

A 2026 compilation covers approximately 30% of Western Australia's exposed Archean and Proterozoic bedrock. The digital product comprises three spatial layers: primary geology polygons, geology lines, and a linear structure layer. It is based on nine regional geological packages compiled between 2014 and 2017 by the Geological Survey of Western Australia.

Use Cases

• Train a segmentation model on the primary geology polygon layer to classify bedrock lithostratigraphic units across the coverage area.
• Analyze spatial relationships between the linear structure layer features and polygon unit boundaries for structural geology studies.
• Map the distribution of specific stratigraphic units, identified via the ENS nomenclature hierarchy, across the nine source package regions.
• Integrate the geology lines layer with geophysical datasets for cross-validation of interpreted geological boundaries.

Strengths

• Compilation covers approximately 30% of Western Australia, a significant geographic area.
• Based on nine detailed regional packages compiled by the state geological survey between 2014 and 2017.
• Attribution incorporates weekly updates from the Explanatory Notes System (ENS) for current stratigraphic nomenclature.
• Derived from extensive fieldwork, geophysics, remote sensing, and drilling data.

Limitations

• Seamless interpretation is not enforced between adjacent regional packages, potentially creating edge artifacts.
• Focus is on exposed Archean and Proterozoic bedrock, leaving 70% of the state and younger geology uncovered.
• The linear structure layer primarily captures pre-Cenozoic features, excluding more recent structures.

Provenance

Source

Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) published GIS and Geological Exploration Packages.

Collection Method

Interpretation based on fieldwork, geophysical data (magnetics, radiometrics, gravity), remote sensing (ASTER, LANDSAT), seismic profiles, drilling, and existing mapping.

Time Range

Source packages compiled from 2014 to 2017; dataset updated in 2026.

Freshness

Last updated March 2026; source packages compiled from 2014 to 2017.

Geography

Western Australia, focusing on areas of exposed Archean and Proterozoic bedrock (approx. 30% of the state).