Timor Sea Continental Shelf Sediment Lithofacies Maps at 1:1,000,000 Scale

The Bureau of Mineral Resources initiated a program of systematic reconnaissance geological surveys of the continental shelf, with results published in the BMR Bulletin series. The dataset includes 1:1,000,000 lithofacies maps of shelf sediments, with three sheets printed by early 1974. Users should refer to Bulletin 83 (GeoCat # 163) for interpretation, as the map does not distinguish between modern and relict sediments.

Use Cases

• Analyze sediment lithofacies distribution on the continental shelf based on the 1:1,000,000 scale maps.
• Study non-depositional or erosional shelf areas based on the description of wide areas being non-depositional.
• Infer the distribution of older, relict sediments based on the gravel content in relation to bathymetry as mentioned in the description.

Strengths

• Includes 1:1,000,000 scale lithofacies maps of shelf sediments.
• Three map sheets (Rowley Shoals, Scott Reef, Arafura Sea) were printed by early 1974.
• Associated with detailed interpretation guidance in BMR Bulletin 83 (GeoCat # 163).

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Data may reflect geographic/temporal/source bias inherent to data_gov_au.

Provenance

Source

Bureau of Mineral Resources (BMR), Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Systematic reconnaissance geological surveys of the continental shelf.

Time Range

Surveys initiated after 1967; map sheets printed by early 1974.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-27 16:33:36.818079; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Timor Sea continental shelf, including Rowley Shoals, Scott Reef, and the Arafura Sea.