Deep-Sea Geological Samples from RV Sonne Cruises off Western Australia, 1979

A six-week geological cruise of the West German research vessel Sonne, under the Australian-German Science Agreement, yielded information about the Exmouth Plateau, Wallaby Plateau, and Cuvier Abyssal Plain. The cruise successfully sampled pre-Quaternary strata, Quaternary sequences, and manganese nodules from depths between 100 and 5200 meters. Preliminary results include findings on Jurassic carbonates, Cretaceous sediments, volcanic sequences, and methane content in cores.

Use Cases

• Analyze the distribution and composition of pre-Quaternary rocks based on the 44 successful sampling stations mentioned.
• Study Quaternary sediment sequences and gas content based on the cores obtained for analysis.
• Assess the mineral potential of manganese nodules based on preliminary nickel and copper determinations.
• Map subsurface volcanic structures based on the interbedded basalts and tuffs described in the layered sequence.

Strengths

• Data is derived from a dedicated six-week research cruise with specific, successfully accomplished aims.
• Sampling includes 102 stations on the Exmouth Plateau and 18 stations on the Wallaby Plateau.
• Samples cover a wide depth range from 100 m to 5200 m.
• Preliminary geochemical analysis (e.g., methane, nickel, copper) is mentioned for some samples.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last updated 2026-06-27 21:20:06.612772; freshness should be verified.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Samples and seismic profiles collected during a 1979 geological cruise of the RV Sonne.

Time Range

1979

Geography

Exmouth Plateau, Wallaby Plateau, Cuvier Abyssal Plain off Western Australia