The historical record reveals that at least five tsunamis generated by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions along the Sunda Arc have impacted the West Australian coast (1883, 1977, 1994, 2004 and 2006). We have documented the geomorphic effects of these tsunamis through collation of historical reports, collection of eyewitness accounts, analysis of pre- and post-tsunami satellite imagery and field investigations. These tsunamis had flow depths of less than 3 m, inundation distances of up to several hundred metres and a maximum recorded run-up height of 8 m. Geomorphic effects include off-shore and near-shore erosion and extensive vegetation damage. In some cases, vegetated foredunes were severely depleted or completely removed. Gullies and scour pockets up to 1.5 m deep were eroded into topographic highs during tsunami outflow. Eroded sediments were redeposited as sand sheets several centimetres thick. Isolated coral blocks and rocks with oysters attached (~50 cm A-axis) were deposited over coastal dunes however, boulder ridges were often unaffected by tsunami flow. The extent of inundation from the most recent tsunamis can be distinguished as strandlines of coral rubble and rafted vegetation. It is likely that these features are ephemeral and seasonal coastal processes will obscure all traces of these signatures within years to decades. Recently reported evidence for Holocene palaeotsunamis on the West Australian coast suggests significantly larger run-up and inundation than observed from the historical record. The evidence includes signatures such as chevron dunes that have not been observed from historical events. We have compared the geomorphic effects of historical tsunami with reported palaeotsunami evidence from Coral Bay, the Cape Range Peninsula and Port Samson. We conclude that much of the palaeotsunami evidence can be accounted for via more traditional geomorphic processes such as reef evolution, aeolian dune formation and archaeological site formation.

The combined analysis of airborne electromagnetics (AEM), airborne gamma-ray spectrometry (AGRS), magnetics and a digital elevation model with ground-based calibration, has enable construction of a 3D architectural and landscape evolution model of valley fill deposits around the township of Jamestown in South Australia. The valley fill sediments consist of traction, suspension and debris-flow deposits that range in age (optically stimulated luminescence OSL dating) from 102 ka (±12) to the present day. A sediment isopach map generated from the AEM dataset reveals the 3D structure of the valley-fill deposits. The sediments are up to 40 m thick within asymmetrical valleys and are the result of colluvial fan, floodplain and sheet-wash processes. The sediments fine upwards with a higher proportion of coarser bed load deposits toward the base and fine sand, silt and clay towards the top of the sequence. A strong linear correlation between airborne K response and soil texture allowed the percentage of surface silt to be modelled over the depositional landforms. The sediments are thought to have been derived by a combination of aeolian dust accessions, and weathering and erosion of bedrock materials within the catchment. Older drainage lines reflected in the distribution of relatively closely spaced and well connected 'magnetic channels' differ markedly from present day streams that are largely ephemeral and interrupted. This is thought to reflect a change in local hydrology and associated geomorphic processes from relatively high to lower energy conditions as the valley alluviated. These hydrological changes are likely to be associated with a drying climate, lower recharge and runoff.

Map showing the Geomorphic Features of the Australian Margin and Island Territories. The features were interpreted from Geoscience Australia's 250 m horizontal bathymetry model and other published data, and include those specified in the International Hydrographic Office definitions.

Australia wide mineralogical maps have recently been generated and released by CSIRO and Geoscience Australia using the 14 band satellite-borne ASTER imaging sensors. Seventeen map products related to surface composition have been produced for the geoscience community. Band parameters were developed based on spectral absorption features representing either abundance of mineral groups, specific minerals and their chemistry, vegetation cover or regolith related characteristics. A detailed study was undertaken, investigating the geoscience exploration capabilities of these newly released map products, individually, and integrated with airborne geophysics and digital elevation models over the Mt Fitton test site in northern Flinders Ranges, South Australia. This site includes the Mt Fitton talc deposits, gold prospects, and areas of hydrothermal activity and metasomatism.

In order to protect the diversity of marine life in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the federal parliament has passed the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. The Act is being implemented through the design of a national representative system of marine protected areas (MPAs) that will place under protection a representative portion of Australia's EEZ by 2012. A total of 13 MPAs have already been nominated for the southeast region in 2006. Limited biological data in Australia's EEZ has resulted in biophysical information compiled by Geoscience Australia being used as a proxy for seabed biodiversity in support of marine conservation planning. Information we use to characterise the seabed includes bathymetry, geomorphology, acoustic properties, sediment properties, slope and sediment mobilisation due to waves and tides. To better characterise habitats on the Australian continental shelf, Geoscience Australia is creating 'seascape' maps (similar to geological facies maps) that integrate these multiple layers of spatial data, and are useful for the prediction of the distribution of biodiversity in Australia's EEZ. This information provides 100% spatial coverage based on objective, multivariate statistical methods and offers certainty for managers and stakeholders including the oil and gas industry, who are involved with designing Australia's national MPA system. Certainty for industries operating in the EEZ is enhanced by a reproducible, science-based approach for identifying conservation priorities and the classification of seafloor types within multiple use areas.

The Marine Survey Geomorphology Web Map Service contains the local scale (1:10 000) interpreted geomorphology maps available for download on Geoscience Australia's website. These interpreted geomorphology maps have been produced for numerous marine survey programs conducted in Australian mainland and Antarctic waters by both Geoscience Australia and our collaborators. Layers are grouped by survey or region and where available include both the Geoscience Australia and vessel survey identification numbers that contributed to each dataset.

In order to design a representative network of high seas marine protected areas (MPAs), an acceptable scheme is required to classify the benthic bioregions of the oceans. Given the lack of sufficient biological information to accomplish this task, we used a multivariate statistical method with 6 biophysical variables (depth, seabed slope, sediment thickness, primary production, bottom water dissolved oxygen and bottom temperature) to objectively classify the ocean floor into 11 different categories, comprised of 53,713 separate polygons, that we have termed "seascapes". Validation of the seascape classification was carried out by comparing the seascapes with an existing map of seafloor geomorphology, and by GIS analysis of the number of separate polygons and perimeter/area ratio. We conclude that seascapes, derived using a multivariate statistical approach, are biophysically meaningful subdivisions of the ocean floor and can be expected to contain different biological associations, in as much as different geomorphological units do the same. Our study illustrates how the identification of potential sites for high seas marine protected areas can be accomplished by GIS analysis of seafloor geomorphic and seascape classification maps. Using this approach, maps of seascape and geomorphic heterogeneity were generated in which heterogeneity hot-spots identify themselves as MPA candidates. The use of computer-aided mapping tools removes subjectivity in the MPA design process and provides greater confidence to stakeholders that an unbiased result has been achieved.

The Ord is one of the largest rivers in northern Australia and is located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. In this study we show that the lower Ord landscape near Kununurra in Western Australia consists of a large scale ancient landscape, possibly pre-Cambrian, being exhumed from beneath flat-lying Cambrian to Carboniferous cover rocks. Additional post-Permian landscapes are being formed by this process. The Ord Valley alluvium is of late Pleistocene to Holocene in age and consts off upward fining gravels, sands and clays infilling an inset valley profile. The Ord River initially flowed to the sea via the keep River estuary, however a major avulsion, possibly due to sedimentatain topping a low point in the surrounding valley walls, occurred possibly as recently as 1,800 years ago. As a result to mouth of the Ord shifted some 100 km to the east, to Cambridge Gulf, its course through the former alluvial plain and along the new course across the coastal plain was incised, and a scabland formed across the low point of Tararar Bar. This association of very ancient (pre-Paleozoic) landscape elements and by thin, very young weathering profiles and young sedimentary accumulations in alluvial valleys is paradoxical in the broader Australian pattern where very ancient landscape elements are associated with ancient sedimentary infill and weathering profiles.

Australia has developed as a maritime nation, from the reliance on coastal seas for transport and trade to the present day where most of the nation's population, industry, tourism and recreation are located along its coasts. In `A Geology of Australia', we discuss how coastal geological features and processes have strongly influenced the pattern of post-colonial settlement and development of Australia, and how our experience of the coast varies radically depending on our location on the continental margin. Examples are provided of the influence of coastal geology on society as well as the impacts people have had on coastal systems.

The data set provides outlines for the maximum extent of geomorphic units for Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone, including the offshore island territories, but not the Australian Antarctic Territory. These data were compiled as part of Geoscience Australia's integrated digital information system to provide improved accessibility and knowledge relating to the environmental management of Australia's oceans resources. The geomorphic units are to be used as surrogates for benthic habitats and can be best applied to the construction of bioregionalisations of the seabed. The data set also includes the name of units in the attribute table, where known, the source(s) of the names, feature codes and province codes as well as the area and perimeter of each unit. The data are accompanied by Geoscience Australia Record 2003/30. Updated October 2006.