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.

Palaeoshorelines that lie submerged on stable continental shelves are relict coastal depositional and erosional structures formed during periods of lower sea level. An analysis of the well-dated Late Quaternary (0–128 ka) sea-level record indicates that the most persistent (modal) lower sea levels were at 30 – 40 m below present, which occurred between 97 and 116 ka and at approximately 85 ka and 10 ka. A secondary modal position was at 70–90 m that occurred mostly during a period of fluctuating sea level between 30 and 60 ka, as well as at around 87 ka (70 – 80 m only) and 12−15 ka. For the tectonically stable Australian continental shelf, we show that a range of shorelines formed at each of these sea level modal positions and their morphology and degree of preservation depends on composition (carbonate vs siliciclastic) and oceanographic setting (wave, tide and wind energy). These ancient coasts record a range of oceanographic and geological regimes that existed during relatively long periods of lower sea level and provide a guide to the general depth zones in which similar features likely occur on other shelves globally. Australian palaeoshorelines represent distinctive benthic habitats that strongly influence the distribution of biodiversity across the shelf. Accurate mapping of these features provides a robust geospatial framework for investigations of marine species distributions and environmental change monitoring. These data also enable the better targeting of relict coastal areas that potentially include sand resources and sites of human occupation during periods of lower sea level. <b>Citation:</b> Brendan P. Brooke, Scott L. Nichol, Zhi Huang, Robin J. Beaman, Palaeoshorelines on the Australian continental shelf: Morphology, sea-level relationship and applications to environmental management and archaeology, <i>Continental Shelf Research</i>, Volume 134, 2017, Pages 26-38, ISSN 0278-4343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2016.12.012.

The East Antarctic slope on the Sabrina margin has been shaped by diverse processes related to repeated glaciation. Differences in slope along this margin have driven variations in sedimentation that explain the gully morphology. Areas of lower slope angles have led to rapid sediment deposition during glacial expansion to the shelf edge, and subsequent sediment failure. Gullies in these areas are typically extremely U-shaped, initiate well below the shelf break, are relatively straight and long, and have low incision depths. Areas of higher slope angles enhance the flow of erosive turbidity currents during glaciations associated with the release of sediment-laden basal meltwaters. The meltwater flows create gullies that typically initiate at or near the shelf break, are V-shaped in profiles, have high sinuosity, deep incision depths and a relatively short down slope extent. The short down slope extent reflects a reduced sediment load associated with increased seawater entrainment as the slope becomes more concave in profile. These differences in gully morphology have important habitat implications, associated with differences in the structure and beta-diversity of the seafloor communities. This upper slope region also supports seafloor communities that are distinct from those on the adjacent shelf, highlighting the uniqueness of this environment for biodiversity. <b>Citation:</b> A.L. Post, P.E. O'Brien, S. Edwards, A.G. Carroll, K. Malakoff, L.K. Armand, Upper slope processes and seafloor ecosystems on the Sabrina continental slope, East Antarctica, <i>Marine Geology</i>, Volume 422, 2020, 106091, ISSN 0025-3227, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2019.106091.

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.

The source code for the AusSeabed Survey Coordination Tool. Code is located at: https://github.com/ausseabed/survey-request-and-planning-tool The AusSeabed Survey Coordination tool (ASB SCT) is a tool designed by GA and FrontierSI in collaboration with the AusSeabed Steering Committee and broader community. Its intent is to provide a location for, and consistency in specification of bathymetric data acquisition for scientific research purposes. As of March 2022, the ASB SCT supports three key functions: 1) Survey Planning: the ASB SCT allows the community to publicise their plans to survey in the Austrlian Marine Estate. The tool ingests a spatial outline of the intended location as well as the target data types and focus for the survey. The tool also collects the contact details for the chief investigator and anticipated survey dates. Once published, the survey plan is visible on the upcoming surveys spatial layer on the AusSeabed portal. 2) Hydroscheme Industry Partnership Program Requests: the ASB SCT hosts the online form for submitting survey requests to the Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) for consideration by the HydroScheme Industry Partnership Programme. 3) Areas of Interest submission: the ASB SCT ingests submissions that describe a users seabed mapping or biodiversity characterisation data needs and location. This information is useful in identifying regions of mutual interest and boosting collaborative multi-disciplinary surveys. Understanding regions with high levels of overlapping data needs can also help inform high-value survey activities and legacy data release priorities.