Lithology and Diagenesis of Carbonate Reef Foundations in the Southern Great Barrier Reef

Australian Ocean Data Network hosts data on the lithology and diagenesis of carbonate reef foundations in the southern Great Barrier Reef. The dataset describes a relatively thin Holocene reef developed on older foundations extending up to 420 meters deep, ranging from late Pleistocene to middle Miocene in age. Petrographic analysis details subaerial diagenesis processes affecting the limestone.

Use Cases

• Modeling reef development history based on described stratigraphic succession and age ranges.
• Analyzing diagenetic processes based on descriptions of vadose and phreatic zone transformations.
• Comparing Pleistocene and Holocene reef environments based on described lithological differences like Halimeda limestone abundance.
• Studying sea-level change impacts based on described solution unconformities and soil development.

Strengths

• Describes geological features up to 420 meters deep in the subsurface.
• Specifies age range from late Pleistocene to middle Miocene.
• Details specific diagenetic processes like neomorphic replacement and leaching.

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data freshness should be verified despite a last updated date of 2026-06-04.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Petrographic analysis of drill core samples, as described.

Time Range

Late Pleistocene to middle Miocene age for the foundation, overlain by Holocene reef.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-04 05:26:54.345009

Geography

Southern Great Barrier Reef