Southern Surveyor Voyage SS 07/2005 Multibeam Echosounder Data

July-August 2005 multibeam echosounder data collected off the Western Australian coast by the Southern Surveyor vessel. The dataset comprises 660 raw data files totaling 13.6 GB, stored in Simrad *.all format at CMAR and Geoscience Australia. High-resolution seafloor bathymetry and backscatter information were acquired using a Simrad EM300 system, with ping rate varying by depth.

Use Cases

• Map seafloor topography based on high-resolution bathymetry data.
• Analyze seafloor composition based on backscatter information.
• Model underwater geological features based on survey data from a specific voyage.
• Calibrate echosounder equipment based on raw Simrad *.all format data.

Strengths

• 660 raw data files provide a substantial volume of source material.
• 13.6 GB total size indicates significant data coverage for the survey area.
• High-resolution data collection is specified for both bathymetry and backscatter.
• Raw data format (Simrad *.all) is preserved, allowing for custom processing.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data freshness should be verified; the last metadata update is listed as 2026-06-04.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network via data_gov_au

Collection Method

Collected via Simrad EM300 multibeam echosounder aboard the Southern Surveyor research vessel.

Time Range

July-August 2005

Geography

Off the Western Australian coast