Seabed Sediment Samples from the Tasmanian Shelf and Bass Strait

Three hundred and sixty-five surface and near-surface seabed samples provide the basis for an assessment of regional lithofacies variations on the Tasmanian shelf and in eastern and western Bass Strait. The dataset, published by Geoscience Australia Data, includes analyses of sediment composition, heavy minerals, and geochemistry. It was last updated on 2026-05-14.

Use Cases

• Map regional lithofacies variations based on the 365 sample stations described.
• Analyze sediment provenance and transport patterns based on heavy mineral suites and hinterland relationships.
• Identify relict versus modern sediment deposits based on descriptions of quartz-rich sands, bryozoan gravels, and muddy sediments.
• Assess potential mineral resources based on mentions of cassiterite and phosphatisation in specific areas.

Strengths

• Based on 365 surface and near-surface seabed samples, providing a substantial physical basis.
• Includes specific geochemical analyses, such as a maximum recorded value of 10 ppm Sn for tin.
• Covers a defined geographic area: the Tasmanian continental shelf and parts of Bass Strait.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Sample station density is described as low in parts of the shelf, which may limit spatial resolution.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Analysis of 365 seabed samples collected from the continental shelf.

Time Range

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Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-14 08:49:57.568450; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Tasmanian continental shelf and eastern and western Bass Strait.