Lithofacies maps of continental shelf sediments were produced by the Bureau of Mineral Resources as part of a systematic reconnaissance geological survey program. The work resulted in three printed sheets by early 1974, covering Rowley Shoals, Scott Reef, and the Arafura Sea. Users should refer to Bulletin 83 (GeoCat #163) for interpretation guidance, as the map does not distinguish between modern and relic sediments.
Use Cases
- Analyze sediment lithology variations across the shelf based on the lithofacies maps.
- Identify non-depositional or erosional shelf areas based on the map's interpretation notes.
- Study the distribution of older relic sediments inferred from gravel content and bathymetry.
- Map continental shelf geology for resource exploration or environmental assessment.
Strengths
- Based on a systematic reconnaissance survey program initiated by the Bureau of Mineral Resources.
- Includes three printed map sheets (Rowley Shoals, Scott Reef, Arafura Sea) by early 1974.
- Published at a scale of 1:1,000,000, providing a broad regional overview.
Limitations
- Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
- The map does not distinguish sediments which are relics of earlier regimes from modern ones.
- Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
Provenance
- Source
- Australian Ocean Data Network
- Collection Method
- Systematic reconnaissance geological surveys of the continental shelf.
- Freshness
- Last updated 2026-04-16 16:13:25.990362; freshness should be verified.
- Geography
- Timor Sea continental shelf, including Rowley Shoals, Scott Reef, and Arafura Sea.