2019 Australian National Gravity Grids Data Release
Channel: GeoscienceAustralia
Date: 12/10/2020

Speakers: Mr Richard Lane & Mr Phillip Wynne - 7 October 2020

For the first time in Australia, ground gravity, airborne gravity/gravity gradiometry, and satellite gravity observations have been combined to produce a series of National Gravity Grids covering an area more than twice the size of Australia. This involved the combination of observations made on the land, in the air, and by satellite - more than 1,800 ground gravity surveys, 14 airborne gravity and gravity gradiometry surveys, and satellite gravity observations. Underpinning this accomplishment is the Australian Fundamental Gravity Network - a series of gravity benchmarks that allow the joining of gravity data into a seamless whole. This presentation will discuss both the utility of the network and how it feeds into the production of the grids, plus the process of creating the national scale grids using such varied sources of gravity data.

About the speakers

Richard Lane joined Geoscience Australia in 2001 after a career as a mineral and petroleum geophysicist with CRA Exploration / Rio Tinto and Program Leader for the development of the TEMPEST AEM system in CRC AMET. As a Senior Geophysicist in the Geophysical Acquisition and Processing Section, he has been evaluating the role of Airborne Gravity and Airborne Gravity Gradiometry on a national scale. This has led to his involvement in the organisation of the internationally respected series of Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (ASEG) workshops “Airborne Gravity 2004”, “Airborne Gravity 2010” and “Airborne Gravity 2016”, and ultimately, to being part of the team that produced the 2019 Australian National Gravity Grids, where airborne gravity data have been used for the first time. He is an ASEG Gold Medal recipient, a Society of Exploration Geophysicists Honorary Lecturer, and a Distinguished Geoscience Australia Lecturer.

Phillip Wynne has been with GA for over twenty years. In that time, he has undertaken regional gravity surveys, processed and quality-assured and quality controlled gravity data. He now oversees gravity surveys conducted by GA and the states, and has taken up the role of managing the Australian Fundamental Gravity Network.