Haines Structure: Seismic Profile of a Probable Eocene Impact Crater in Western Australia

Geoscience Australia Data provides a 2D seismic profile from the offshore Canning Basin, Western Australia, interpreted as a probable complex impact structure. The feature, named the Haines Structure, is symmetrical over approximately 2.5 km and is characterized by a central uplift, depressed upper surface, and deformed intervening package. The structure lies within carbonate units of Eocene or Early Oligocene age and was last updated in the platform on 2026-04-30.

Use Cases

• Train models to identify impact crater signatures based on seismic character features like central uplift and sagging horizons.
• Compare seismic geometries with other known impact structures on Australia's North West Shelf.
• Study the morphology of subsurface geological features in carbonate units from the Eocene epoch.

Strengths

• The dataset is based on a specific seismic profile interpreting a symmetrical structure over ~2.5 km.
• Description includes detailed seismic characteristics such as a centrally uplifted basal surface and a depressed upper surface.
• Provides a temporal context, placing the structure within Eocene or Early Oligocene age carbonate units.

Limitations

• The dataset is derived from a single 2D seismic profile, which may limit three-dimensional understanding.
• The structure has not been drilled, so definitive evidence like shock metamorphism is unavailable.
• Row count and column-level documentation are absent, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Interpretation of a 2D seismic profile correlated to petroleum exploration wells.

Time Range

Eocene or Early Oligocene age

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-30 14:58:27.906035; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Offshore Canning Basin, Western Australia