This preliminary report will provide a geochemical and ionic characterisation of groundwater, to determine baseline conditions and, if possible, to distinguish between different aquifers in the Laura basin. The groundwater quality data will be compared against the water quality guidelines for aquatic ecosystem protection, drinking water use, primary industries, use by industry, recreation and aesthetics, and cultural and spiritual values to assess the environmental values of groundwater and the treatment that may be required prior to reuse or discharge.

Geoscience Australia carried out a marine survey on Carnarvon shelf (WA) in 2008 (SOL4769) to map seabed bathymetry and characterise benthic environments through colocated sampling of surface sediments and infauna, observation of benthic habitats using underwater towed video and stills photography, and measurement of ocean tides and wavegenerated currents. Data and samples were acquired using the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) Research Vessel Solander. Bathymetric mapping, sampling and video transects were completed in three survey areas that extended seaward from Ningaloo Reef to the shelf edge, including: Mandu Creek (80 sq km); Point Cloates (281 sq km), and; Gnaraloo (321 sq km). Additional bathymetric mapping (but no sampling or video) was completed between Mandu creek and Point Cloates, covering 277 sq km and north of Mandu Creek, covering 79 sq km. Two oceanographic moorings were deployed in the Point Cloates survey area. The survey also mapped and sampled an area to the northeast of the Muiron Islands covering 52 sq km. cloates_3m is an ArcINFO grid of Point Cloates of Carnarvon Shelf survey area produced from the processed EM3002 bathymetry data using the CARIS HIPS and SIPS software

This use of this data should be carried out with the knowledge of the contained metadata and with reference to the associated report provided by Geoscience Australia with this data (Reforming Planning Processes Trial: Rockhampton 2050). A copy of this report is available from the the Geoscience Australia website (http://www.ga.gov.au/sales) or the Geoscience Australia sales office (sales@ga.gov.au, 1800 800 173). The wind hazard outputs are a series of rasters, one for each average recurrence interval considered, presenting peak wind hazard (peak from all directions) as measured in km/h.

Invited entry for reference on 'Encycolpedia of Scientific Dating Methods' about uranium-lead dating of detrital zircon.

The map provides a visual representation of the gravel content of seabed sediments expressed as a weight percentage. The data are represented from 0 to 100%. The data on which this map is based were compiled from Geoscience Australia's marine sediment database (MARS - http://www.ga.gov.au/oracle/mars/).

GIS package for the TiTree region of Western Australia for the Palaeovalley Groundwater Project.

Geoscience Australia carried out marine surveys in southeast Tasmania in 2008 and 2009 (GA0315) to map seabed bathymetry and characterise benthic environments through observation of habitats using underwater towed video. Data was acquired using the Tasmania Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute (TAFI) Research Vessel Challenger. Bathymetric mapping was undertaken in seven survey areas, including: Freycinet Pensinula (83 sq km, east coast and shelf); Tasman Peninsula (117 sq km, east coast and shelf); Port Arthur and adjacent open coast (17 sq km); The Friars (41 sq km, south of Bruny Island); lower Huon River estuary (39 sq km); D Entrecastreaux Channel (7 sq km, at Tinderbox north of Bruny Island), and; Maria Island (3 sq km, western side). Video characterisations of the seabed concentrated on areas of bedrock reef and adjacent seabed in all mapped areas, except for D Entrecastreaux Channel and Maria Island. fortescue_2m is an ArcGIS layer of the backscatter grid of the Tasman Peninsula survey arae produced from the processed EM3002 backscatter data of the survey area using the CMST-GA MB Process

In the southern half of Australia, recent droughts and predictions of a drier future under a number of climate change scenarios have led to the search for innovative strategies to identify more secure water supplies for regional communities and industries. This study was commissioned to investigate groundwater options for increasing the drought security for the city of Broken Hill. Investigations involved the assessment of a number of aquifers across a broad region, followed by the rapid mapping and assessment of potential MAR and/or groundwater extraction sites over a large data-poor area (>7,500 km2), of the Darling floodplain. Data acquisition included an airborne electromagnetics (AEM) survey (31,834 line km), a 7.5 km drilling program (100 sonic and rotary mud holes), and complementary field and laboratory measurements. Integrated studies found that surface infiltration approaches were not viable MAR options in this area due to the ubiquitous presence of thick near-surface aquitards. However, 3D mapping validated by drilling and complementary hydrogeological investigations identified >30 potential Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) targets where Pliocene aquifers contain significant volumes of fresh groundwater and are sandwiched between confining aquitards. A pre-commissioning semi-quantitative residual risk assessment was carried out for a priority site (Jimargil), located within 20 km of existing power and surface water infrastructure at Menindee. Using national MAR guidelines, assessment of 12 hazard types included hydrogeological modelling, laboratory column clogging studies and geochemical assessment to identify source water treatment requirements. The study found that the residual scientific/technical risks for ASR at Jimargil are low. Key to project success was the development of new rapid mapping and assessment methodologies and workflows. It is our understanding that this is the first use of AEM as part of multi-disciplinary mapping and assessment of MAR targets. The investigations in this study also completely revised our understanding of the age, stratigraphy, structure and mode of deposition of the Darling floodplain sediments, with practical implications for the hydrogeological conceptual model underpinning the assessment of groundwater resources and MAR options.

Land cover data are an essential input into a wide array of models including land surface process models and weather/climate models. The Dynamic Land Cover Dataset is the first nationally consistent and thematically comprehensive land cover reference for Australia. It provides a basis for reporting on change and trends in vegetation cover and extent. The Dynamic Land Cover Dataset Version 2 is a suite of of ISO (ISO 19144-2) compliant land cover maps across the Australian landmass. The series of maps presents land cover information for every 250m by 250m area of the country for rolling two year intervals from 2001. Each map has been generated by applying a sophisticated time series analysis technique known as Dynamic Markov Chain modeling to two years of MODIS Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) data. The Dynamic Markov Chain modeling was used to classify each pixel based on the way that pixel has behaved over a two year period. The maps contain 33 land cover classes which reflect the structural character of vegetation, ranging from cultivated and managed land covers (crops and pastures) to natural land covers such as closed forest and open grasslands. The series of maps have been compared with over 30,000 independent ground data points provided by State, Territory and Federal Government agencies. The sequence of maps shows how Australian land cover is changing over time.

The 2011 Hillshade image (tiff) shows the ground surface detail as a single layer over the whole of Christmas Island. It can be used as an alternative to the 2011 shiny colour drape tiles, although ground detail in some areas is better shown in the tiles. It was created from the 2011 DEM using ESRI ArcMap with an azmith of 315, an altitude of 45 and a vertical exaggeration of 5x.