The GMRT-AusSeabed project aims to address the cost associated with processing, merging and reformatting of bathymetric data in marine modelling and management. This will be achieved by adopting and expanding the Global Multi-Resolution Topography Synthesis (GMRT) tool and becoming a local platform node focused on Australia’s region of marine responsibility. The GMRT is operated by Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory and funded by the US National Science Foundation. The implementation of GMRT for Australia is supported by funding from the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC). One of the main deliverables for the project is a user needs analysis, which will inform the design of the platform. This report presents a summary of the outcomes of the engagement with the ocean and coastal modelling community to ensure the solutions are fit-for-purpose. The initial project plan included a proposal for in-person workshop with the modelling community to establish user requirements, however COVID-19 restrictions were in place during the project and this was not possible. Instead, requirements were gathered from the community via an online survey. An overview of the survey questions and responses is presented in Section 2, while Section 3 provides some further analysis of the results and recommendations for the design of the new platform.

The GMRT-AusSeabed project aims to address the cost associated with processing, merging and reformatting of bathymetric data in marine modelling and management by enabling users to more easily create bathymetric maps. The project leverages two major existing initiatives, the AusSeabed Data Hub operated by AusSeabed and the Global Multi-Resolution Topography Synthesis (GMRT) operated by Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) and funded by the US National Science Foundation. GMRT-AusSeabed is seeking to deliver two core services that are relevant to this particular document: 1. Definition of an attributed point cloud for bathymetric data that is common across a wide range of bathymetric sensor platforms (multibeam echosounder, LiDAR, satellite, etc) 2. Develop additional user controls, primarily relating to data selection, that leverage the attributed point cloud for the creation of bathymetric maps. Within the bounds of the GMRT-AusSeabed project, this document provides: 1. A summary of the key points discussed within the second workshop, “Backend Storage”, 2. An overview of the toolkits being explored by the project for delivery of various capabilities 3. Outcomes and actions that are being moved forward with in the project. Workshop participants included representatives from Geoscience Australia, Australian Antarctic Division, University of Western Australia, and Guardian Geomatics. See <a href="https://www.ausseabed.gov.au/gmrt">https://www.ausseabed.gov.au/gmrt</a> for more information.

This resource includes bathymetry data acquired during the Tasman and Coral Seas survey using Kongsberg EM302 and EM710 multibeam sonar systems. The Tasman and Coral Seas bathymetry survey (FK201228/GA4868); also known as Pinging in the New Year: Mapping the Tasman and Coral Seas survey; was led by James Cook University and University of Queensland aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel Falkor from the 28th of December to the 25th of January 2021. The primary objective of the expedition was to map the seabed of the target area in the Tasman and Coral Seas that will support ocean research, management and sustainable economic development. Bathymetric maps are especially valuable for geoscience research, as the shape of the seafloor holds information about the tectonic movement and the formation of the Australian continent. Another objective was to survey seabirds, which are important indicators of ocean health and the data collected from the expedition are vital for informing management of the Coral Sea Marine Park. This V1 dataset contains one 64m resolution 32-bit floating point geotiff files of the Tasman and Coral Seas bathymetry survey area, derived from the processed EM302 and EM710 bathymetry data, using CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. 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 Vernon Islands bathymetry survey collected by University of Queensland during the period 21 – 26 May 2019 on the charter vessel Lauri-j using Bathyswath interferometric sonar system. The survey was undertaken as a project of the Australian Tidal Energy (AUSTEn; http://austen.org.au/) co-funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) for the Advancing Renewables Program. The purpose of the project was to map the country’s tidal energy resource in unprecedented detail and assess its economic feasibility and ability to contribute to Australia’s energy needs. It will aid the emerging tidal energy industry to develop commercial-scale tidal energy projects. This dataset contains a 4m resolution 32-bit floating point geotiff file of the bathymetry in study area and transits, derived from the processed Bathyswath interferometric data, using Fledermaus. A final report of the project is provided in: Penesis, I et al. 2020. Tidal Energy in Australia: Assessing Resource and Feasibility in Australia’s Future Energy Mix (https://tethys-engineering.pnnl.gov/sites/default/files/publications/tidal-energy-in-australia-2020.pdf). This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes. This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia.

The Tasmante bathymetry survey, GA-0125 was acquired by Geoscience Australia onboard the IFREMER N/O L'Atalante from the 12th of February to the 28th of March 1994 using a Simrad EM12 Dual sonar system. The objectives of the west Tasmanian swath-mapping cruise (Tasmante) are to: determine the structure of the continental margin off west Tasmania, on the South Tasman Rise, and on the adjacent abyssal plain; examine the relationships between lithospheric extension in continental crust, the orientation of the seafloor spreading phases, and the formation of the transform margin along west Tasmania and the South Tasman Rise; map sedimentary patterns and processes to build an understanding of Neogene changes in sedimentation and their relationship to tectonic and climatic. This dataset contains a 100m resolution 32-bit geotiff of the Tasmante survey, produced from the processed EM12D bathymetry data of the survey area using the CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia. Not to be used for navigational purposes.

This dataset contains bathymetry products from the Lord Howe Rise 2D Seismic Survey undertaken by Geoscience Australia (GA) and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) during the period from8 of November 2017 to1stJanuary 2018 onboard the RV Kairei (Survey KR1715C). The Lord Howe Rise (LHR) is a submerged plateau that extends from southwest New Caledonia to the west of New Zealand. Much of the LHR lies within the Australian marine jurisdiction at water depths of 1000-3000m. The Commonwealth conducted a scientific seismic survey over the Lord Howe Rise in 2017 in collaboration with JAMSTEC. This collaboration contributes to a larger research proposal submitted to the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) that would provide the first deep stratigraphic record for the Cretaceous Eastern Gondwana Margin. The IODP proposal, if funded, is to drill a deep stratigraphic well to a depth of 2-3 km below the seabed, possibly in 2020. In order to select the drill sites, GA and JAMSTEC are conducting site assessments that involve a seismic survey in 2016 and a geotechnical survey in 2017. Multibeam bathymetry data were acquired during the survey covering an area of 69,190 km2. Five bathymetry grids of 70 to 90m resolution were produced using the shipborne 12 KHz sonar system.<p><p>This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes.

This resource includes bathymetry data acquired during the Northern Depths of the Great Barrier Reef survey on RV Falkor using its Kongsberg EM302 multibeam sonar system. The EM710 data acquired on this survey will be included in a future release. The primary objective of the survey was to explore the Cape York Peninsula region, through geophysical mapping of the shelf edge and continental slope adjacent to the barrier reefs and around the seven detached reefs lying north of Cape Weymouth, including within the large Wreck Bay. The offshore Cape York area is considered a frontier marine region with very little multibeam data collected previously in this far northern section of the Great Barrier Reef. The survey aimed to reveal the full inventory of submarine canyons, drowned reefs and any other significant seabed features in the region. A secondary objective was to conduct geophysical mapping of the Swain slide, an underwater landslide on the slope adjacent to the Swain Reefs in the southern Great Barrier Reef, with a headscarp about 10 km wide and a debris field extending ~20 km from the headscarp. The mapping aimed to reveal the full extent of the debris field and nature of the debris material proximal to the headscarp. Another objective was to conduct geophysical mapping around the steeper slopes around reefs in the eastern Coral Sea Marine Park, including the Saumarez, Frederick, Kenn, Wreck and Cato Reefs. The mapping aimed to fill data gaps between existing airborne LIDAR bathymetry over the shallow reefs and previously collected multibeam data around the steeper flanks. To achieve these objectives, the survey extended over 47 days, leaving Brisbane, Australia on September 30, 2020 and returning to Brisbane, Australia on November 17, 2020. The voyage was split into three legs, with port calls made at Cairns and Horn Island in the Torres Strait. Geophysical mapping involved the use of both Kongsberg EM302 and EM710 multibeam systems on the RV Falkor, typically operated in Dual Swath mode. In depths deeper than ~1200 m, the EM710 was turned off. Backscatter and water column data were also collected on both multibeam systems. This V1 dataset contains two 64m resolution 32-bit geotiff files of the FK200930 survey area produced from the processed EM302 only bathymetry data. This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes. This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia.

<div>The Howard Channel&nbsp;bathymetry survey was acquired for the Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) during the period 9 Aug 2023 – 13 Sep 2023. This was a contracted survey conducted for the Australian Hydrographic Office by EGS Australia as part of the Hydroscheme Industry Partnership Program. The survey area encompasses an area in Howard Channel. Bathymetry data was acquired using a Kongsberg EM2040C, and processed using CARIS HIPS and SIPS, and QIMERA processing software. The dataset was then exported as a 30m resolution, 32 bit floating point GeoTIFF grid of the survey area.</div><div>This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes.</div>

The GMRT-AusSeabed project aims to address the cost associated with processing, merging and reformatting of bathymetric data in marine modelling and management by enabling users to more easily create bathymetric maps. The project leverages two major existing initiatives, the AusSeabed Data Hub operated by AusSeabed and the Global Multi-Resolution Topography Synthesis (GMRT) operated by Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) and funded by the US National Science Foundation. GMRT-AusSeabed is seeking to deliver two core services that are relevant to this particular document: 1. Definition of an attributed point cloud for bathymetric data that is common across a wide range of bathymetric sensor platforms (multibeam echosounder, LiDAR, satellite, etc) 2. Develop additional user controls, primarily relating to data selection, that leverage the attributed point cloud for the creation of bathymetric maps. Within the bounds of the GMRT-AusSeabed project, this document provides: 1. A summary of the key points discussed within the first workshop, “Point Cloud Attribution”, 2. A detailed list of the attributes that are to be carried forward through the work program. 3. A list of influences external to the workshop that have contributed to the list. Workshop participants included representatives from Geoscience Australia, Deakin University, CSIRO, Guardian Geomatics and Land and Information New Zealand. See <a href="https://www.ausseabed.gov.au/gmrt">https://www.ausseabed.gov.au/gmrt</a> for more information.

This resource includes bathymetry data acquired during the Refuge Cove bathymetry survey acquired by Deakin University Marine Mapping Lab during the period of 07 – 11 June 2013 onboard the MV Yolla using a Kongsberg Maritime EM2040C multibeam sonar. The Refuge Cove bathymetry survey was led by Dr. Daniel Ierodiaconou (Deakin University). This dataset contains a 1m-resolution 32-bit floating point GeoTIFF file of the bathymetry in the study area, derived from the processed EM2040C bathymetry data, using CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. The elevation datum is shifted to EGM2008 at Geoscience Australia. Detailed information on this survey is provided in: Ierodiaconou, D., Schimel, A. C., Kennedy, D., Monk, J., Gaylard, G., Young, M., Diesing, M. & Rattray, A. (2018). Combining pixel and object based image analysis of ultra-high resolution multibeam bathymetry and backscatter for habitat mapping in shallow marine waters. Marine Geophysical Research, 39(1), 271-288. This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes. This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia.