Seismic Refraction Profiles of Great Barrier Reef Substrate

124 seismic refraction profiles were collected from six reefs in the Capricorn/Bunker group of the Great Barrier Reef. The dataset contains geophysical measurements used to map a subsurface discontinuity at depths of 8-23 meters, equated to the boundary between Holocene and pre-Holocene carbonates. This work was conducted by the Australian Ocean Data Network, with data last updated in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Mapping the depth of the Holocene/pre-Holocene unconformity using seismic discontinuity measurements from 8-23 meters.
• Analyzing the relationship between pre-Holocene surface topography (central depressions, raised rims) and modern reef lagoon presence.
• Assessing substrate influence on reef growth by correlating seismic refraction profiles with borehole data from Bewick, Hayman, and Heron Islands.
• Testing latitudinal genetic sequence hypotheses for southern Great Barrier Reefs using geophysical evidence from multiple reef sites.

Strengths

• 124 distinct seismic refraction profiles provide spatial coverage.
• Data correlates geophysical measurements with physical borehole samples from three specific islands.

Limitations

• Data format is PDF/HTML, limiting direct machine analysis of underlying measurements.
• Specific row counts, column names, and numerical data values are not provided in the description.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Seismic refraction studies conducted near shallow boreholes.

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

Great Barrier Reef, specifically Bewick, Hayman, Heron Islands, and the Capricorn/Bunker Reefs.