Predicted Seabed Sediment Content in the Timor Sea EEZ 2018

A 2018 dataset provides spatially continuous predictions of seabed gravel, mud, and sand content as weight percentages. It covers eight areas within the Australian continental EEZ in the Timor Sea region, presented in 10-meter resolution raster grids. The predictions supersede previous versions with improved accuracy, validated by cross-validation scores.

Use Cases

• Model sediment distribution patterns across eight Timor Sea areas using gravel, mud, and sand percentage rasters.
• Analyze prediction accuracy variations between sediment types, such as the 71% VEcv for mud versus 42% for gravel.
• Identify and filter spatial artefacts like horizontal and vertical lines resulting from backscatter-derived predictive variables.
• Support marine habitat mapping by correlating seabed sediment fractions (e.g., <63 µm mud) with biological survey data.

Strengths

• Predictions validated with cross-validation accuracy scores: 71% for mud, 72% for sand, and 42% for gravel.
• High spatial resolution of 10 meters for continuous seabed sediment mapping.
• Dataset supersedes previous predictions with demonstrated improvements in accuracy.
• Covers eight distinct geographic areas within the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone.

Limitations

• Presence of spatial artefacts and noise, specifically horizontal and vertical lines from backscatter data, which can affect interpretation.
• Prediction accuracy varies significantly by sediment type, with gravel content having a lower validation score (42% VEcv).

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Spatial predictions derived from predictive variables, including backscatter data, presented as raster grids.

Time Range

2018

Freshness

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Geography

Timor Sea region within the Australian continental Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), covering eight specific areas.