R/V Rig Seismic Geophysical and Geological Research Cruise off Tasmania, 1988

The Bureau of Mineral Resources (BMR) research cruise 78 was conducted by the R/V Rig Seismic from 24 March to 18 April, 1988. The cruise collected 1750 km of multichannel seismic data on the west Tasmanian margin and 265 km off southeast Tasmania, alongside geological samples from 49 stations. This work aims to define the geology, rifting history, stratigraphy, and petroleum potential of the Sorell Basin.

Use Cases

• Analyze basin structure and rifting history based on multichannel seismic survey data.
• Model Cainozoic sedimentation patterns based on core samples from 37 stations.
• Assess petroleum potential based on seismic ties and analysis of thermogenic gas in surface sediments.
• Calculate thermal flux based on near-surface thermal gradient and conductivity measurements from 10 stations.

Strengths

• Multichannel seismic data covers 1750 km on the west Tasmanian margin and 265 km off southeast Tasmania.
• Geological sampling includes 12 stations for basement/older sequences and 37 stations for younger sequences.
• Thermal gradient and conductivity measurements were taken at 10 stations.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data is from a single cruise in 1988; temporal coverage is limited.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Data collected during Bureau of Mineral Resources (BMR) research cruise 78 using multichannel seismic surveying and geological sampling.

Time Range

24 March to 18 April, 1988

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-23 00:30:22.016298; freshness should be verified.

Geography

West Tasmanian margin (King Island and Strahan Sub-basins) and southeast Tasmania near Bruny Island.