AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve (Timor Sea) Biodiversity Survey (GA0339/SOL5650) - Interpreted Geomorphic Map

The Oceanic Shoals survey (SOL5650, GA survey 339) was conducted on the R.V. Solander in collaboration with Geoscience Australia, the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), University of Western Australia and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory between 12 September - 5 October, 2012. This dataset comprises an interpreted geomorphic map.
Interpreted local-scale geomorphic maps were produced for each survey area in the Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve (CMR) using multibeam bathymetry and backscatter grids at 2 m resolution and bathymetric derivatives (e.g. slope; 1-m contours). Six geomorphic units; bank, depression, mound, plain, scarp and terrace were identified and mapped using definitions suitable for interpretation at the local scale (nominally 1:10 000). Maps and polygons were manual digitised in ArcGIS using the spatial analyst and 3D analyst toolboxes. 
For further information on the geomorphic mapping methods please refer to Appendix N of the post-survey report, published as Geoscience Australia Record 2013/38: Nichol, S.L., Howard, F.J.F., Kool, J., Stowar, M., Bouchet, P., Radke, L., Siwabessy, J., Przeslawski, R., Picard, K., Alvarez de Glasby, B., Colquhoun, J., Letessier, T. &amp; Heyward, A. 2013. Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve (Timor Sea) Biodiversity Survey: GA0339/SOL5650 Post Survey Report. Record 2013/38. Geoscience Australia: Canberra. (GEOCAT #76658).

Tags: EEZ, GIS Dataset, Marine Geoscience, NERP Marine Biodiversity Hub, Published_External, Regional, geomorphology, marine, marine biodiversity, marine environmental baselines
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Optimising coastal tide predictions - An ensemble satellite altimetry and optical remote sensing approach

Accurate insights into sea-level dynamics are crucial for coastal Earth Observation (EO) analysis. Global ocean tide models play an important role in hind- and future-casting sea-level predictions and gap-filling sparse tide gauge observations, making them a valuable input for large-scale coastal EO workflows. However, existing tide models vary greatly in local performance, particularly in dynamic and complex coastal regions. Satellite altimetry has previously been used to evaluate tide model performance offshore of challenging coastal regions. However, tidal dynamics at the coastline can differ significantly from deeper waters, making it difficult to extrapolate model selection from offshore altimetry observations alone. To support the next generation of coastal EO applications, there is a critical need for new scalable methods to assess and identify optimal tide models at the coastline itself. We present a novel EO-based ensemble tide modelling approach that optimizes coastal tide predictions by leveraging local model performance. This new method combines sea levels from satellite altimetry with an innovative optical remote sensing approach that compares time-series correlations between satellite-derived Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and modelled tide heights. By quantifying and ranking how effectively each of 10 leading global tide models explain observed patterns of tidal inundation, we generate EO-guided ensembles that combine multiple models into a single optimized output. When applied at continental-scale across Australia’s diverse tidal environments, the ensemble approach consistently outperforms any individual model when validated against independent tide gauge observations. Our method is based on freely available optical and altimetry satellite data and open-source tools. The approach runs efficiently at scale, making it suitable for large-scale coastal EO applications that require accurate tide modelling across data sparse and poorly modelled coastal regions.

<b>Citation:</b> Bishop-Taylor, R., Sagar, S., Phillips, C., &amp; Newey, V. 2026. Optimising coastal tide predictions: an ensemble satellite altimetry and optical remote sensing approach. <i>International Journal of Remote Sensing</i>, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2026.2666912

Tags: DEA – Digital Earth Australia, Oceanography not elsewhere classified, Published_External, coastal, ensemble, remote sensing, tide modelling
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Report on the symposium of the International Association of Scientific Hydrology (IASH) on 'Groundwater' in the arid zones' held at Athens, 11th to 21st October, 1961

This report is an outline of the symposium on 'Groundwater in the Arid Zones' conducted by the International Association of Scientific Hydrology (I.A.S.H.) at Athens, Greece from the 11th to the 21st October, 1961..

Tags: Earth Sciences, GA Publication, Published_External, Record
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Sedimentology and Facies Distribution within the Horn Valley Siltstone, Amadeus Basin : A Reconnaissance Study

Exposure of the Horn Valley Siltstone is usually poor, but well preserved material can be obtained from some of the fully cored wells intersecting this interval throughout the Amadeus Basin. In this study, the following cored holes were used: Henbury #4, Henbury #6, Mt Liebig #2, Tempe Vale#1 and Tent Hill #1. I have subdivided the formation into ten informal members, HV1(lowermost) to HV10, which reflect vertical lithofacies variations in a shallow marine shelf environment. These members have been defined primarily from sedimentological and palaeontological information such as the presence or absence of body fossils, mode of preservation, species associations within groups of fossils, presence or absence of bioturbating organisms (trace fossils), lithology and bedding types. It can be inferred that the amount and composition of organic matter preserved in the sediment was determined largely by the concentration of oxygen in the bottom water and the extent to which the sediment was disrupted by burrowing organisms because burrowing and scavenging activities of benthic organisms are controlled by the concentration of oxygen in the bottom water. Organic geochemical data fromTempe Vale #1 and Tent Hill #1 were used to confirm these facies variations.

The transition between HV6 and HV7, which can be recognised easily by the sudden change in shale to carbonate ratio, has been found to coincide with the presence of high organic rich sediments, with recorded TOC values of up to 6.30%.

Tags: Earth Sciences, GA Publication, Published_External, Record, geology, palaeontology
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
DES1242402 Mudjimba Island Bathymetry Bathymetry Acquisition (20240018S)

The Mudjimba Island Bathymetry survey was acquired for the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) onboard the MV Jim Peel during the period 03 December 2024. Bathymetry data was acquired using a Reson Seabat T50P and processed using CARIS processing software. The dataset was then exported as a 0.5m resolution, 32-bit floating point GeoTIFF image in GDA2020.



Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) is looking to characterise the benthic environment including any significant substrate features and flat areas suitable for mooring block placement at Mudjimba Island.  Port of Brisbane (PoB) provided expertise and support to DETSI to complete a bathymetry survey of Mudjimba Island and its surroundings (1.5kmx1.5km) with backscatter data collected.



This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes.



Tags: AusSeabed, Australia-wide geoscience data, EARTH SCIENCES, Oceans, Offshore Mapping, Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity, bathymetric grids, bathymetry, marine, multibeam
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
First record of Tethyan palynomorphs from the Late Triassic of East Antarctica

A well-preserved Late Triassic palynoflora from the upper Flagstone Bench Formation, Prince Charles Mountains, East Antarctica, contains taxa that are also widely distributed in coeval Tethyan Laurasian assemblages. The most common and distinctive of these elements in the present assemblage are: Enzonalasporites vigens, E. densus, cf. Ellipsovelatisporites sp., Minutosaccus crenulatus, cf. Rimaesporites aquilonalis, Ovalipollis ovalis, Samaropollenites speciosus, and Duplicisporites scurrilis. The assemblage is assigned to the Australian Minutosaccus crenulatus Zone, and considered to be of Norian age. Gondwanan palynofloras containing these Laurasian elements are assigned to the Onslow Microflora, which is represented by Middle and Late Triassic palynomorph assemblages from Madagascar, western and northern Australia, East Africa, and Peninsular India. Occurrences of the Onslow Microflora appear to be confined to sediments deposited in palaeolatitudes between about 40o-30oS. As well as climatic controls, we suggest that other factors influenced the distribution of the parent floral communities. In particular, availability of migration pathways along Tethyan coastal plains, that were exposed during periods of sealevel regression, was an important factor controlling the rapid dispersal of certain Triassic plants.  Marine influence on the present assemblage is evident by the rare spinose acritarchs, and one specimen of a dinocyst of the Shublikodinium-Rhaetogonyaulax plexus; this is the first record of a Triassic dinocyst from Antarctica.

Tags: AAT, Earth Sciences, GA Publication, Journal, Published_External
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Sediment Mobility due to currents and waves in the Torres Strait - Gulf of Papua region

The MECO hydrodynamic model was adapted for the Torres Strait - Gulf of Papua region at 0.051 resolution. Validation of the hydrodynamic model was carried out against observed current meter data and calculated tidal sea levels. Dispersal pathways of sediments derived from the Fly River, and from a resuspension event along the northern Great Barrier Reef were investigated using an Eulerian approach. Sediment input into Torres Strait is found to be greater during the Trade season by approximately 10%. Wave data were also obtained, and together with hydrodynamic model output, sediment mobility due to currents, waves and wave-current interactions was considered for both the Trade and Monsoon seasons. Sediment mobility in the Gulf of Papua is dominated by wave motion, whereas Torres Strait is a mixed environment of waves and tidal currents.

Tags: Earth Sciences, External Publication, PG, Published_External, Scientific Journal Paper, marine
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Seismic Data Processing Report for Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics, Marine Geoscience and Petroleum Geology Group : Bonaparte Basin Seismic Survey 1991 : BMR Survey 100

This report presents an account of the processing sequenceand techniques used for processing seismic data in theBonaparte Basin for Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geologyand Geophysics, Division of Marine Geoscience and Petroleum Geology.

A total of 2214.350 kms of marine seismic data was processedby Digital Exploration Ltd, Brisbane during the period fromJuly 1991 to December 1991.

Client supervision was provided by Mr. Frank Brassil andMr. Tim Barton. Details of the field data acquisition parameters andprocessing sequence are given in Sections 2 and 3 respectively.
Listing of line numbers with SPN ranges, kilometre indexesand TIME is given in appendix 5.1, archive tape listing inappendix 5.2 and location map in appendix 5.3.

Tags: Earth Sciences, GA Publication, Published_External, Record, marine, seismics
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Fossil Posters: Marine fossils

Six posters approximately A1 in size (31.5 x 25.59 inches) on prehistoric lifeforms. Each poster shows a sketch of the liveform, and a geological timescale showing the period during which the lifeform was found on Earth. Ideal for display in the classroom. Lifeforms are diprotodon, ammonite, glossopteris, conodont, brachiopod and a themed poster on the Devonian Pepiod.

Tags: Earth Sciences, Educational Product, Published_External
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Redefining the petroleum systems of the Browse Basin

The Browse Basin lies offshore from the remote Western Australia Kimberley region and hosts vast reserves of gas, some of which are rich in condensate, making it Australia's next major conventional liquefied natural gas (LNG) province on the North West Shelf. The super-giant Ichthys gas accumulation is estimated to host 12.8 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas and 527 million barrels (mmbbl) of condensate (CGR = 60 bbl/MMscf) making it the largest hydrocarbon accumulation with recoverable liquids found in Australia since the discovery of the Gippsland Basin and Barrow Island oil fields in the 1960s. Similar amounts of gas, albeit drier (CGR = 20-30 bbl/MMscf) are hosted within the super-giant Brecknock, Calliance and Torosa accumulations (15.9 Tcf gas, 436 mmbbl condensate).
Despite the extensive ongoing exploration activity and prior research interest [1, 2, 3 and 4], the basin's petroleum systems have not been updated for a decade. Collating the existing molecular and isotopic datasets for the wet gases and associated hydrocarbon liquids, along with the biomarker and 13C/12C and D/H ratios of the n-alkanes for the crude oils, has enabled the origin and extent of the petroleum systems to be redefined. In doing so, it is apparent that the filling of the gas accumulations within the Caswell Sub-basin and along the Scott Reef-Brecknock trend is complex, with the component gases originating from multiple organic and inorganic sources. Differing extents of biodegradation and recharge are observed in the Cornea and Gwydion oil and gas accumulations on the Yampi Shelf. Four petroleum systems (PS) are defined, as illustrated in Figure 1 by their 13C n-alkane isotopic profiles.
-   The Plover-Plover PS is a basin-wide gas-prone system where the gas is reservoired within the Early-Middle Jurassic Plover Formation (e.g. Brecknock-Torosa, Ichthys) and sourced from mixed terrestrial and marine organic matter deposited in fluvio-deltaic sediments;
-   The Plover/Vulcan-Vulcan PS occurs within the central Caswell Sub-basin at Ichthys and Prelude/Concerto and is a wet gas-prone system reservoired within the Brewster Member, upper Vulcan Formation, which has a more marine source affinity with the additional hydrocarbons probably being sourced from the lower Vulcan Formation.
-   The Plover/Vulcan-Nome PS is a gas-prone system within the Heywood Graben where the Nome Formation reservoir at Crux is sourced from mixed terrestrial and marine organic matter deposited within Jurassic sediments.
-   The Echuca Shoals-Heywood PS is an oil- and gas-prone system on the Yampi Shelf (Cornea and Gwydion) sourced by marine algae and bacterial organic matter within Lower Cretaceous sediments [2]. The oils and gases vary in their degree of biodegradation.
Further work is in progress to correlate the wet gases and oils with their source rocks.

Tags: GA Publication, Geology, Published_External, WA, geochemistry, geology
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Australian Marine Spatial Information System (AMSIS)

AMSIS is a web based interactive mapping and decision support system that improves access to integrated government and non-government information in the Australian Marine Jurisdiction. 
AMSIS contains over 80 layers of information including maritime boundaries, bathymetry, physical and environmental information, legal interests, fisheries and shipping that has been sourced from Geoscience Australia, other Australian government agencies and some industry sources. 
AMSIS also contains the offshore mineral locations data that was used to create the Offshore Minerals Map. 
AMSIS has been developed using standards to support interoperability enabling integration with the National Oceans Portal and other on-line initiatives. Geoscience Australia is working with other agencies and organisations to add additional information. 
Information in this application should not be relied upon as the sole source of information for commercial and operational decisions. AMSIS should not be used for navigational purposes.

Tags: AU, DC2020, Database, Earth Sciences, HVC_144653, National dataset, Published_External, data, marine, marine jurisdiction
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Benthic Foraminifera as Environmental Indicators in Torres Strait - Gulf of Papua: In Todd, B.J., and Greene, H.G., eds., Mapping the Seafloor for Habitat Characterization

Three areas in the Torres Strait-Gulf of Papua region were selected for detailed study of sediments and benthic fossil biota. These areas form a transect across the shelf from the Fly River Delta to the shelf edge, near the northern extremity of the Great Barrier Reef. The Torres Strait-Gulf of Papua shelf is a shallow, low-gradient platform, where the shelf edge occurs between 120 and 140 m depth. In the study area, where the sediments range from muddy to gravelly carbonate sands, the sediment deposition rates are low and the relict content of sediment is often high. 

The three areas show distinct differences in benthic foraminiferal assemblages as indicated by relative abundances at the order level, as well as distribution patterns of individual species; these differences are also reflected in the total microbiotic communities. Given the high relict content in the surface material across these sites, a foraminiferal preservation scale was developed to assess the extent of reworking. Taphonomic features indicate that abrasion is the main factor affecting preservation.

Despite poor preservation of the foraminiferal tests, the benthic foraminiferal species have a strong correlation to water depth, indicating that transportation pathways are short. Application of multivariate statistics to analyze the relationship between environmental attributes and the distributions of the microbiota and foraminiferal species indicates the additional importance of factors including percent carbonate mud, percent gravel, organic carbon flux, temperature, salinity and mean grain size. The benthic foraminifera produce a much stronger correlation to the environmental variables than the microbiota, indicating that these organisms can provide a detailed assessment of habitat types.

Tags: AU-QLD, Earth Sciences, External Publication, Monograph, Published_External, continental shelf, habitat, marine, palaeontology, seabed, sedimentology
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
The Creation of High Resolution Bathymetry Grids for the Lord Howe Island Region

Detailed seabed bathymetric data are needed to better understand our marine environment because models of seabed morphology derived from these data provide useful insights into physical processes that act on the seabed and the location of different types of seabed habitats. Lord Howe Island lies approximately 450km off the northern coast of New South Wales. It is a volcanic island with a fringing coral reef on its western shore, and a shallow (20 - 120 m) shelf surrounds the island. Bathymetry data are required in this area to help identify major seabed processes and habitats, especially relict reef structures, and to measure how well physical seabed properties act as surrogates of patterns of biodiversity on this mid-ocean carbonate shelf. The data are also required to enable modelling of tsunami as they interact with the shelf around the island and the coast. 

This report describes the methodology employed in creating detailed bathymetry data grids of the Lord Howe Island region. It covers data collection, quality control and gridding. Descriptions are provided of each dataset employed, the methods used to integrate the different datasets and the attributes of the new bathymetry models.

Four new bathymetry grids are presented, including grids that integrate bathymetry with the island's topography.

Tags: 3D model, AU-NSW, AusSeabed, CERF, Chart-derived, Compilation, DEM, Earth Sciences, GA Publication Record, HVC_144641, LADS, Multibeam, Published_External, Satellite-Derived Bathymetry, Singlebeam, bathymetry, data, marine, multibeam
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Exmouth Gulf Marine Seismic Survey Western Australia, 1961 By West Australian Petroleum Pty Limited

A reconnaissance marine reflection seismic survey was conducted hi Exmouth Gulf and the open coastal waters along the west coast of Western Australia from Frazer Island to Bernier Island (see Fig. 1).

The survey was a two-boat operation. The survey in the Exmouth Gulf area was controlled by a Lorac radio navigational system, and along the west coast positioning was determined by sextant angle measurements to shore beacons and landmarks. All shots were recorded on magnetic tapes which were processed into variable area record sections.

The following maps were constructed:
(i) On a Horizon "A" within the Upper Cretaceous Korojon Calcarenite (Exmouth Gulf area only);
(ii) On a Horizon "B" near the Basal Cretaceous unconformity; 
(iii) On pre-Cretaceous structure;
(iv) Time interval between Horizons "A" and "B" (Exmouth Gulf area only);
(v) Depth of water.

The Exmouth marine survey indicated that Exmouth Gulf is essentially synclinal in character in the Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments. Several major pra-Cretaceous fault trends which had already been mapped on land with the seismograph were followed beneath the Gulf. The pre-Cretaceous axis of the Cape Range Anticline was located both to the north and to the south of the surface expression of the structure. The chain of islands to the north-east of the Ca.pe Range are aligned on a structural trend.

To the south of-Point Maud, the Cuvier marine survey provided a much-needed tie between the Rough Range-Cape Range area and the structurally complex area around the Salt Marsh. Some structural leads were found in this southern area and the trend of major faults was established.

Tags: AU-WA, Earth Sciences, GA Publication, Other Publication, Published_External, marine, petroleum exploration
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data
Geomorphology of the Australian Margin and Adjacent Seafloor

For the first time, the distribution of seafloor geomorphic features has been systematically mapped over much of the Australian margin and adjacent seafloor. Each of 21 feature types was identified using a new, 250 m spatial resolution bathymetry model and supporting literature. The total area mapped was 48.9 million km2 and included the seafloor surrounding the Australian mainland and island territories of Christmas, Cocos (Keeling), Macquarie and Norfolk Islands. Of this total mapped area, the shelf is 41.9 million km2 (21.92%), the slope 44.0 million km2 (44.80%) and the abyssal plain/deep ocean floor 42.8 million km2 (32.20%). The rise covers 97 070 km2 or 1.08% of the mapped area. A total of 6702 individual geomorphic features were mapped. Plateaus have the largest surface area and cover 1.49 million km2 or 16.54%, followed by basins (714 000 km2; 7.98%), and terraces (577 700 km2; 6.44%), with the remaining 14 types each making up 55%. Reefs, which total 4172 individual features (47 900 km2; 0.54%), are the most numerous type of geomorphic feature, principally due to the large number of individual coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. The geomorphology of the margin is most complex where marginal plateaus, terraces, trench/troughs and submarine canyons are present. Comparison with global seafloor geomorphology indicates that the Australian margin is relatively under-represented in shelf and rise and over-represented in slope area, a pattern that reflects the mainland being bounded on three sides by rifted continent ocean margins and associated large marginal plateaus. Significantly, marginal plateaus on the Australian margin cover 20% of the total world area of marginal plateaus. The mapped area can be divided into 10 geomorphic regions by quantifying regional differences in diagnostic assemblages of features, and these regions can be used as a starting-point to infer broad-scale seafloor habitat types.

Tags: AU-EEZ, Earth Sciences, External Publication, Published_External, Scientific Journal Paper, bathymetry, continental margins, geomorphology, mapping, marine
Organization: Geoscience Australia Data