Christmas Island lies on oceanic crust moving north at 7cm/year and rises 360 m above sea level. The dataset likely contains results from a 28-day 1992 geoscience cruise that acquired about 2500 km of high-resolution reflection seismic and bathymetric data to assess seabed morphology, sediment thickness, and offshore mineral resources. This information was intended to support Australia's negotiations for a seabed boundary with Indonesia.
Use Cases
- Map seabed morphology based on high-resolution bathymetric data mentioned in the description
- Estimate sediment thickness and facies based on reflection seismic data mentioned in the description
- Assess manganese nodule abundance and metal grade on the deep-sea floor based on the described sampling campaign
- Evaluate manganese crust thickness and metal grade on volcanic ridges based on the described investigation
Strengths
- Data collection involved about 2500 km of high-resolution reflection seismic and bathymetric surveys
- Project was designed to produce a comprehensive review of geology and mineral resources for the offshore zone
- Description provides specific geological context, including sediment thickness (100-300m) and crustal movement (7cm/year)
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 21:25:24.282979; freshness should be verified
Provenance
- Source
- Australian Ocean Data Network
- Collection Method
- 28-day geoscience cruise of R.V. 'Rig Seismic' from 7 January to 4 February, 1992, acquiring seismic and bathymetric data followed by a sampling campaign.
- Time Range
- 1992
- Geography
- Offshore zone around Christmas Island, Indian Ocean (approximately 10°30'S, 105°40'E)