Seafloor Bathymetry of Gascoyne Marine Park Canyons

Schmidt Ocean Institute survey FK200308 collected bathymetry data and seafloor imagery highlighting canyon environments within the Gascoyne Marine Park offshore northwestern Australia. The dataset describes the Cape Range Canyon's steep walls, slumping history, plunge pools, and associated epibenthic life like glass sponges and octocorals. Funding was provided by Schmidt Ocean Institute, Geoscience Australia, the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program, the Director of National Parks, and the Foundation for the WA Museum.

Use Cases

• Analyze submarine canyon morphology based on bathymetry data
• Study sediment transport and erosion processes based on descriptions of plunge pools and turbidity currents
• Model benthic habitat distribution based on descriptions of rock overhangs supporting suspension feeders
• Assess geological hazards based on descriptions of slumping and retrogressive failure

Strengths

• Data collected by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, a recognized research organization
• Description provides specific geological and ecological context for the Cape Range Canyon
• Multiple funding partners including Geoscience Australia and the Australian Government’s NESP Marine Biodiversity Hub

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

Bathymetry data and seafloor imagery collected by the Schmidt Ocean Institute during survey FK200308.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-23 04:06:57.048390; freshness should be verified

Geography

Gascoyne Marine Park offshore northwestern Australia, specifically the Cape Range Canyon.