Refined Moho Depth Model Across the Australian Continent

Australia's Mohorovičić discontinuity (Moho) depth is mapped using data from portable seismic stations, receiver function analysis, autocorrelation methods, and over 25,000 km of full-crustal reflection profiles. The dataset, published in Geophysical Journal International in January 2023, combines these results with marine reflection data and earlier refraction studies to provide continental coverage. It includes gravity inversion results to help resolve the continent-ocean transition and areas with limited sampling, such as the Lake Eyre Basin.

Use Cases

• Modeling crustal thickness variations based on Moho depth estimates.
• Analyzing tectonic boundaries and continent-ocean transitions based on gravity inversion data.
• Studying rapid changes in Moho structure using weighted spatial interpolation methods.
• Comparing crustal thickness in cratonic zones versus previously poorly sampled regions like the Lake Eyre Basin.

Strengths

• Integrates data from multiple methods, including over 25,000 km of reflection transects.
• Provides full continental coverage for Australia, augmented by marine reflection results.
• Uses a weighted spatial approach to handle rapid changes in Moho depth indicated by dense sampling.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Some desert areas remain with limited sampling, as noted in the description.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Combined analysis of portable seismic station deployments, receiver function and autocorrelation methods, full-crustal reflection profiles, marine reflection results, and gravity inversion.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-14 04:17:22.531477; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Australian continent