L046 Murray Basin seismic reflection and refraction survey, NSW, VIC, SA, 1960  

Authors / CoAuthors

Watson, S.J.

Abstract

Between August and December 1960 a seismic party from the Bureau of Mineral Resources carried out a reconnaissance seismic survey, using reflection and refraction techniques, across the Murray Basin. Traverses were placed at selected localities at Carrathool, Hay, Maude, Balranald, Wentworth, Merbein, Lake Victoria, and Loxton. In general, the results show that the Basin, at least along the line of traverse, consists of essentially undisturbed sediments above a high-velocity basement. The thickness of Basin sediments ranges from about 900 ft at Carrathool to 2200 ft at Lake Victoria and Merbein. Most of the sediments are of Tertiary age, with Mesozoic at Loxton and Wentworth and perhaps at other traverses in the western part of the Basin. The seismic velocity in the sediments has a typical value of about 6000 to 7000 ft/sec, while the velocity in the basement ranges from 15,750 ft/sec (at Hay) up to 20,000 ft/sec (at Lake Victoria). The geological nature of basement is not known, but it is considered that it definitely marks the floor of the Tertiary (or Tertiary - Mesozoic) basin. Refraction velocities alone are of doubtful value in identifying the floor, as it is known that crystalline basement, metamorphosed sediments, or unmetamorphosed sediments such as limestone, may have velocities within this range.

Product Type

dataset

eCat Id

76426

Contact for the resource

Keywords

Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)

• Seismology and Seismic Exploration

( {1} )

• HVC_144637

( {1} )

• Seismic Data seismic survey

( Theme )

• seismic reflection

( Theme )

• seismic refraction

( Theme )

• seismic velocity

( Theme )

• petroleum exploration

( Theme )

• geophysics

( {1} )

• AU-NSW

( {1} )

• AU-SA

( {1} )

• AU-VIC

( {1} )

• Published_External

Publication Date

1964-01-01T00:00:00

Creation Date

Security Constraints

Australian Government Security ClassificationSystem    

Classification - unclassified

Legal Constraints

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence    

Access - restricted

Use - license

Status

Purpose

Maintenance Information

asNeeded

Topic Category

geoscientificInformation

Series Information

Record

Lineage

The survey described in this Record was essentially a reconnaissance survey of limited duration with the following main objectives (a) to determine the general cross-sectional outline of the Murray Basin in the east-west direction, including a determination of the thickness of sediments in various parts of the Basin with a view to oil-producing potential, and also including demarcation of Basin margins, (b) to determine the structural significance of known gravity and aeromagnetic anomalies and so provide a basis for interpretation of gravity and aeromagnetic results in the Basin, (c) to determine the structural relation of sediments within and possibly also below, the Murray Basin, (d) to determine the suitability of seismic surveying as a means of prospecting for oil in the Basin. The programme to achieve the above objectives envisaged the use of short reflection traverses at selected locations with gaps of 20 miles or more between them. Refraction 'depth probes' were to be recorded along reflection profiles as required, to establish the thickness of the sediments and the possible nature of the basement rocks. The seismic traverses were to be placed to give a representative cross-section of the Basin, but special attention was to be given to the placement of a traverse across the 'gravity trough' near Wentworth.

Parent Information

Extents

[-35.0, -33.0, 140.5, 146.0]

Reference System

Spatial Resolution

Service Information

Associations

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