This resource contains a bathymetry compilation prepared by the University of Western Australia for the North West Shelf of Australia, between the Cape Range and the Dampier Peninsula. The compilation includes, by decreasing resolution: - Publicly available MBES datasets, made available by Geoscience Australia by December 2019. - Satellite derived bathymetry produced using 1000+ images acquired between January 2017 and December 2019. - Seismic derived bathymetry extracted from 100+ surveys acquired between 1981 and 2015. - SRTM topography, reprocessed by Galant et al, 2011: https://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/72759 - 2009 Australian Bathymetry and Topography grid: https://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/67703 The Seismic and Satellite derived bathymetry grids are also available as individual layers. The vertical and spatial accuracy of the datasets have been thoroughly assessed using high-resolution datasets including publicly available MBES and LADS surveys. The assessment indicates that the seismic derived bathymetry has a depth accuracy better than 1 m + 2% of the absolute water depths while the satellites derived bathymetry has a depth accuracy better than 1 m + 5% of the absolute water depths. A detailed methodology is provided in: Lebrec et al, 2021. Towards a regional high-resolution bathymetry of the North West Shelf of Australia based on Sentinel-2 satellite images, 3D seismic surveys and historical datasets. (in prep.) This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia. AUTHOR’S NOTICE: This dataset should not be used, under any circumstances, for navigation. When used, the dataset should be referenced as follow: Lebrec, U., Paumard, V., O'Leary, M. J., and Lang, S. C.: Towards a regional high-resolution bathymetry of the North West Shelf of Australia based on Sentinel-2 satellite images, 3D seismic surveys and historical datasets, Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss. [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2021-128, in review, 2021.

This resource includes bathymetry data acquired during the Visioning the Coral Sea Marine Park bathymetry survey using Kongsberg EM302 and EM710 multibeam sonar systems. Visioning the Coral Sea Marine Park bathymetry survey (FK200429/GA4861) was led by Dr. Rob Beaman (James Cook University) and a team of scientists from Geoscience Australia, The University of Sydney, and the Queensland Museum, aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor, from the 29th of April to 11th of June 2020. The primary objective of the survey was to map in detail the Queensland Plateau, including the steeper reef flanks and target the enigmatic seabed features, like the numerous drowned reef pinnacles and long meandering channels on the plateau surface. The second objective of this survey was to investigate the extent of the bleaching on the mesophotic or deeper reef, and if these reefs could act as a potential refuge for the Great Barrier Reef. The survey also aimed at providing insights into the geological evolution and biodiversity of Australia’s marine frontier. This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes. This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia.

This resource includes bathymetry data acquired during the Submarine Cape Range Canyons bathymetry survey using Kongsberg EM302 and EM710 multibeam sonar systems. The Seamounts, Canyons and Reefs of the Coral Sea bathymetry survey was led by Dr. Rachel Przeslawski (Geoscience Australia) with a team of scientists from Geoscience Australia, Curtin University, Western Australian Museum and Scripps Institution of Oceanography aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) RV Falkor from the 8th of March to the 8th of April 2020. The primary objective of this survey was to map unexplored submarine canyons in the Gascoyne Marine Park. Submarine canyons are crucial habitats for a variety of biota and understanding their geometry, depth and species diversity is underpinned by high resolution bathymetry data. The bathymetry data collected in this survey can assist with scientific research, marine park management and understanding Australia’s marine estate. This dataset contains a 64m and a 16m, for water depths shallower than 2560m resolution 32-bit geotiff of the Cape Range and Cloates Canyons area produced from the processed EM302 and EM710 bathymetry data combined. This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes. This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia.