The Surface Hydrology Points (Regional) dataset provides a set of related features classes to be used as the basis of the production of consistent hydrological information. This dataset contains a geometric representation of major hydrographic point elements - both natural and artificial. This dataset is the best available data supplied by Jurisdictions and aggregated by Geoscience Australia it is intended for defining hydrological features.

Eonomic Fairways Explorer video presentation for PDAC 2015. The purpose of this video demonstration is to show the Proof of Concept (PoC) of the Economic Fairways Explorer application, which enables users to perform "what if" economic modelling and scenarios using GIS data. The Economic Fairways Explorer application is based upon the CIAP framework.

Terrain illumination correction is an important step in the normalisation of remotely sensed data for the inversion of land surface parameters, and for applications that aim to detect land surface change through time series analysis. To accurately normalise for the terrain effect, an appropriate resolution of the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data with sufficient quality is critical for effective correction of remotely sensed data over mountainous areas. Conversely, using terrain illumination correction and scale-based analysis, such as filter bank analysis, the quality of DEM data can be evaluated. In this study, TanDEM-X Intermediate DEM (IDEM) data at 12 m and 30 m resolutions, and the 1-second SRTM data (~ 30 m resolution) were used to evaluate their effectiveness for terrain illumination correction of Landsat satellite data. The island of Tasmania in Australia has a fine scale of terrain detail as well as high relief. The high latitude and strong variability in the terrain illumination throughout the year make it an ideal study site for applying the methods available for this evaluation. Results from the terrain illumination correction and filter bank analysis show that IDEM 12 m and 30 m resolution datasets can resolve finer details of terrain shading than the SRTM based DEMs and deliver better results in the areas with detail-rich terrain. However, since the data available for this study is an intermediate product, spikes and other noise artefacts were prevalent, especially over areas covered by water. Operational use of the IDEM would require the removal of such noise artefacts. The filter bank analysis also found that both Landsat panchromatic data and IDEM 12 m data are oversampled and the signal-to-noise parameters for both DEM and Landsat data are yet to be fully established. Further evaluation of the relative merits of the TanDEM-X based DEM data and the SRTM based DEM data for terrain illumination correction would be possible when the WorldDEM product based on TanDEM-X data becomes routinely available.

Compilation of new and existing data can be used to show systematic variations in initial ore-related Pb isotope ratios and derived parameters for the Lachlan and Delamerian orogens of southeast Australia. In addition to mapping tectonic boundaries and providing genetic context to mineralising processes, these variations map mineralised provinces at the orogenic scale and can provide vectors to ore at the district scale. In New South Wales and Victoria, mapping using a parameter termed the 'Lachlan Lead Index' (LLI), which measures relative mixing between crustal- and mantle-derived Pb using the curves of Carr et al. (1995, Economic Geology 90:14671505), clearly demarcates the boundary between the Eastern and Central Lachlan provinces, and seems to identify boundaries between zones within the Western Lachlan Province of Victoria. The LLI also maps the extent of the isotopically juvenile Macquarie 'Arc' in New South Wales. However, rocks in the Rockley-Gulgong Belt, initially mapped as part of the Macquarie Arc, have a more evolved isotopic character, suggesting that these rocks are not part of the Macquarie Arc. This interpretation supports recent mapping that casts doubt on the attribution of this belt to the Macquarie Arc (Quinn, et al., 2014, Journal of the Geological Society of London 171:723736). The LLI has also identified small exposures of Ordovician volcanic rocks, well removed from the main Macquarie Arc, as possible correlates to this arc, with potential to host porphyry and epithermal deposits. Metallogenically, porphyry Cu-Au deposits in the Macquarie Arc are characterised by juvenile Pb. In contrast, Sn and Mo deposits in the Central Lachlan Province (i.e., the Wagga tin belt) are characterised by highly evolved Pb even though these deposits formed over 30 million years. Moreover, the Pb isotope data suggest that the original interpretation that copper deposits in the Girilambone district are volcanic-associated massive sulfide deposits was correct and that these deposits formed in a back-arc to the Macquarie Arc at ~480 Ma. In the Mount Read Volcanics of western Tasmania, all deposits appear to cluster along the same growth curve. However, when divided according to age (i.e., Cambrian (~500 Ma) versus Devonian (~360 Ma)), spatial patterns are visible in 206Pb/204Pb data. For Cambrian deposits 206Pb/204Pb decreases overall to the southeast, although low values are also present in the far south (i.e., Elliott Bay) and northeast. The most highly mineralised central part of the belt seems to be broadly associated with the zone of highest 206Pb/204Pb. Variations in 206Pb/204Pb for Devonian deposits broadly mimic the patterns seen for the Cambrian deposits. More importantly, a district-scale pattern in 206Pb/204Pb is present in the Zeehan district. Isotopically, the Sn-dominated core of the Zeehan district (e.g. Queen Hill and Severn deposits) is characterised by high 206Pb/204Pb, which decreases outward into the Zn-Pb-Ag-dominated peripheries. Lead isotope distribution patterns can potentially be used as an ore vector in this and other intrusion-centered mineral systems.

Tholeiitic intrusion-hosted nickel sulphide deposits are highly sort exploration targets due to their potential size and co-products platinum-group elements and copper. The Norilsk-Talnakh (Russia), Voisey's Bay (Canada) and Jinchuan (China) deposits are world class examples. Although Australia holds the largest economic resources of nickel in the world, its nickel resources are mainly sourced from komatiitic-hosted and lateritic deposits. Known resources of tholeiitic intrusion-hosted nickel sulphides are relatively small, with Nebo-Babel and Nova-Bollinger in Western Australia the most significant examples. Given the abundance of tholeiitic igneous rocks in Australia, this important deposit type seems to be under-represented when compared to other continents with similar geology. To support the discovery of world class nickel sulphide deposits in Australia, Geoscience Australia has recently undertaken a continental-scale GIS-based prospectivity analysis for tholeiitic intrusion-hosted deposits across Australia. This analysis exploits a suite of new relevant digital datasets recently released by Geoscience Australia. For example, the analysis utilises the Australian Mafic-Ultramafic Magmatic Events GIS Dataset which places mafic and ultramafic rocks across Australia into 74 coeval magmatic events based on geochronological data. Whole rock geochemistry of mafic and ultramafic rocks has been used to differentiate between magma series and discriminate between different magmatic events and units within those events. Other new datasets include crustal domain boundaries derived from both deep crustal seismic data and neodymium depleted mantle model age data as well as a coverage of the minimum thickness of mafic rocks in the crust derived from the Australian Seismogenic Reference Earth Model. This continental-scale GIS-based nickel sulphide prospectivity analysis uses a mineral systems approach to map the four essential components of ore-forming mineral systems; (1) sources of ore constituents, (2) crustal and mantle lithospheric architecture, (3) energy sources or drivers of the ore-forming system, and (4) gradients in ore depositional physico-chemical parameters. These four components are combined into a prospectivity map using weights-of-evidence GIS-based techniques, with the most prospective areas across the continent occurring where all components are present. The mineral systems approach allows for the identification of a much larger footprint than the deposit itself, and can be applied to greenfield and/or undercover areas. The results highlight areas that contain known tholeiitic intrusion-hosted nickel sulphide deposits, such as the Musgrave and Pilbara Provinces, as well as regions that do not contain any known deposits, such as the southern margin of the Arunta Province in the Northern Territory, the Mount Isa Province in Queensland and the Paterson Province in Western Australia.

This dynamic map service will be used to provide reference layers for the Department of Industry for use in the Multi Criteria Site Analysis (MCSA) for the RadWaste Project. This MCSA will be used to determine an appropriate location for establishing a radioactive waste storage facility.

Submarine canyons have been recognised as areas of significant ecological and conservation value. In Australia, 713 canyons were mapped and classified in terms of their geomorphic properties. Many of them are identified as Key Ecological Features (KEFs) and protected by Commonwealth Marine Reserves (CMRs) using expert opinion based on limit physical and ecological information. The effectiveness of these KEFs and CMRs to include ecologically significant submarine canyons as prioritised conservation areas needs to be objectively examined. This study used two local-based spatial statistical techniques, Local Moran's I (LMI) and the Gi* statistic, to identify hotspots of Australian canyons (or unique canyons) for conservation priority. The hotspot analysis identified 29 unique canyons according to their physical attributes that have ecological relevance. Most of these unique physical canyons are distributed on the southern margins. Twenty-four of the 29 canyons are enclosed by the existing KEFs and protected by CMRs to varied extents. In addition, the hotspot analysis identified 79 unique canyons according to their chlorophyll a concentrations, all of which are located in the South-east marine planning region. The findings can be used to update or revise the profile descriptions for some existing KEFs. In future, if the boundaries of these KEFs are deemed necessary to be reviewed, the new information and knowledge could also be used to enhance the conservation priorities of these KEFs.

Geological Survey of South Australia SAREIC Technical Day conference 2015

Data to support the Wallaby Plateau GA Record 13-7113. This includes: 1. Magnetic modelling input data and model results 2. Gravity modelling input data and model results 3. Dredge sample rock properties associated with the Wallaby Plateau

Reducing uncertainty at an early stage of resource development is a key necessity to attract project finance. Risk analysis frameworks exist in the petroleum industry for quantifying risk and expected returns (Newendorp, 1975; Suslick et al., 2009). For deep Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Hot Sedimentary Aquifers (HSA), there is limited knowledge and experience available from in-the-ground projects to make informed estimates of the likelihood of outcomes for incorporation into a risk analysis framework. Modelling incorporating uncertainty analysis based on a library of EGS and HSA geothermal reservoirs, together with proxy data, could be used to develop a Geothermal Play Systems framework for assessing reservoir risk and ranking prospects.