102 sampling stations on the Exmouth Plateau and 18 stations on the Wallaby Plateau were occupied during a six-week geological cruise of the RV Sonne in 1979. The cruise successfully sampled pre-Quaternary strata, Quaternary cores for gas analysis, and manganese nodules. Preliminary results include findings on Jurassic carbonates, Cretaceous sediments, volcanic sequences, and methane content.
Use Cases
- Analyze the distribution and composition of pre-Quaternary rocks based on station success rates mentioned in the description
- Study methane concentration in Quaternary sediment cores based on preliminary gas analysis results
- Assess the economic potential of manganese nodules based on preliminary nickel and copper content determinations
- Map geological formations like shelf carbonates and volcanic piles based on the described stratigraphic sequences
Strengths
- 31 seismic profiles were run to help select sampling targets
- 102 stations were successfully occupied on the Exmouth Plateau and adjacent areas
- Samples were obtained from depths ranging from 100 m to 5200 m
Limitations
- Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
- Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
Provenance
- Source
- Australian Ocean Data Network
- Collection Method
- Sampling during a research vessel cruise under the Australian-German Science Agreement
- Time Range
- 1979
- Freshness
- Last updated 2026-05-05 00:08:30.721262; freshness should be verified
- Geography
- Exmouth Plateau, Wallaby Plateau, and Cuvier Abyssal Plain off Western Australia