Northwest Australian Shelf Sediment and Geophysical Survey

The Bureau of Mineral Resources Bulletin presents geological reconnaissance results from the northwest Australian continental shelf. Data collection involved two 3-month cruises in 1967 and 1968, supplemented by seismic profiles, echograms, hydrographic soundings, and sediment charts. The survey covers a 1200 km region from Barrow Island to beyond Scott Reef, focusing on shelf and upper slope sediments.

Use Cases

• Map sediment distribution and types across the continental shelf and upper slope using sediment notations and survey data.
• Analyze shallow geological structures and surface morphology from seismic reflection profiles and echograms.
• Study the late Cainozoic geological history of the continental margin based on sediment descriptions and structural framework data.
• Assess local phosphorus enrichment in sediments for mineral exploration potential using geochemical and circulation pattern references.

Strengths

• Survey covers a 1200 km longitudinal transect of the continental shelf.
• Integrates data from multiple sources including seismic profiles, echograms, hydrographic soundings, and sediment charts.

Limitations

• Temporal coverage is limited, with primary data collected in 1967-1968 and structural framework data not including results after 1971.
• Specific sample sizes, row counts, and quantitative data metrics are not provided in the description.
• Data is presented in report formats (PDF, HTML) rather than structured, machine-readable datasets.

Provenance

Source

Bureau of Mineral Resources (Australia), Ray Geophysical Division, RAN Hydrographic Office, petroleum exploration companies.

Collection Method

Marine geological reconnaissance cruises, collection of shallow seismic reflection profiles and echograms, compilation of published and unpublished hydrographic soundings and sediment charts.

Time Range

Primary survey cruises in late 1967 and late 1968; structural framework data predates 1971.

Freshness

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Geography

Northwest Australian continental shelf, from Barrow Island to beyond Scott Reef (Rowley Shelf and southern Sahul Shelf).