A survey of the Solitary Islands Key Ecological Feature (KEF - GA survey 0338) was conducted on the R.V. Bombora between Tuesday, August 7th 2012 and Thursday, August 16th 2012, in collaboration with the New South Wales (NSW) Office of Environment and Heritage as part of GA's commitment to the National Environmental Research Programme (NERP)'s Marine Biodiversity Hub. The survey collected forward-facing mono video, forward-facing stereo video, and downward facing stills. The geographic position of the system was determined using a GPS system, and the location of the towed camera body was monitored using a USBL system. The aims of the survey were to characterize benthic habitat in areas of the Solitary Islands Key Ecological Feature, and to compare and contrast the effectiveness of different methods for capturing visual representations of biological communities. Stereo video: 2x GoPro Hero 2 cameras in Patima housings with 30cm spacing. Mono video: Stills: Nikon D700, Easydive Leo II housing with dome port The data is organized by survey date, followed by full transect number. Within each transect, there are 4 folders titled: GoPro Stereo GoPro .MP4 files, 1080i, medium FOV, NTSC 30 fps Nikon Downward Facing Stills, .JPG Streampix Mono video files in Norpix .SEQ format Tracklink USBL positional information from Tracklink Navigator 1500.7.4.0 Days 4 and 5 are together in one folder because these transects were incomplete, and are not suitable for scientific analysis. There is an additional folder titled DGPS Log which contains the full set of files containing the GPS position of the R/V Bombora while surveying.

The datasets measure the Chlorophyll a concentrations of ocean surface waters. They are derived products from MODIS (aqua) images using NASA's SeaDAS image processing software. The extent of the datasets covers the entire Australian EEZ and surrounding waters (including the southern ocean). The spatial resolution of the datasets is 0.01 dd. The datasets contain 36 monthly Chlorophyll a layers between 2009 and 2011. The unit of the datasets is mg/m3.

The grid was created from the Australian bathymetry and topography grid (2009, version 4). The data represents the degree of slope of an area of seabed (a rectangle of 3 by 3 cells).

The grid was created from the Australian bathymetry and topography grid (2009, version 4). The data represents the difference in elevation between the highest and lowest point within a specified area (a rectangle of 3 by 3 cells). The units are metres.

This dataset provides the spatially continuous data of predicted seabed sand content (sediment fraction 63 - 2000 µm) expressed as a weight percentage ranging from 0 to 100%, presented in 0.0025 decimal degree (dd) resolution raster grids format and an ascii text file. The dataset covers the north-northwest region of the Australian continental EEZ. This dataset supersedes previous predictions of seabed sand content for the region with demonstrated improvements in accuracy. Accuracy of predictions varies based on density of underlying data and level of seabed complexity. Artefacts occur in this dataset as a result of insufficient samples in relevant areas. This dataset is intended for use at regional scale. The dataset may not be appropriate for use at local scales in areas where sample density is insufficient to detect local variation in sediment properties. To obtain the most accurate interpretation of sediment distribution in these areas, it is recommended that additional samples be collected and interpolations updated.

On the Australian margin, submarine canyons have formed along all sides of the continent and are exposed to the potential influence of large-scale ocean currents, including the Leeuwin Current and the East Australian Current. Recognised in marine bioregional plans as potential biodiversity hotspots, many of these canyons sit within the new national network of Commonwealth Marine Reserves. This GIS polygon layer contains 753 submarine canyons along the Australian continental margin and external territorie, mapped from a range of bathymetry datasets. The layer has attributes describing the canyon's geophysical characteristics. The definitions are as follows. SHAPE_Leng: Perimeter (km) SHAPE_Area: Planar area (km2) centreli_L: Centreline length (km); total length of canyon/sub-canyons centreline(s) MBG_Width: Minimum bounding rectangle width (km) MBG_Length: Minimum bounding rectangle length (km) MBG_Orient: Minimum bounding rectangle orientation len_wid_ra: Length to width ratio; a measure of elongation; larger the value the more elongate the canyon border_ind: Border index; a measure of geometric complexity; larger he value the more fractal the canyon compactnes: a measure of compactness; larger the value the more compact the canyon (or the smaller its border) no_branch: Number of sub-canyons head_incis: Head incision (m); incision deph of canyon head head_depth: Head depth (m); water depth of canyon head foot_depth: Foot depth (m); water depth of canyon foot depth_rang: Depth range (m); depth range between canyon head and foot slope_mean: Slope mean; average slope gradients within canyon polygon slope_std: Slope standard deviation; standard deviation of the slope gradients within canyon polygon slope_rang: Slope range; range between maximum and minimum slope gradients within canyon polygon surArea1: Surface area (km2); 3-D surface area of canyon rugosity: Rugosity; roughness of canyon surface volume: Volume (km3); 3-D volume enclosed by the canyon bottom and walls head_x: X coordinate of canyon head; in Asia south Equidistant Conic projection head_y: Y coordinate of canyon head; in Asia south Equidistant Conic projection foot_x: X coordinate of canyon foot; in Asia south Equidistant Conic projection foot_y: Y coordinate of canyon foot; in Asia south Equidistant Conic projection h_f_dist: Head to foot distance (km); euclidian distance between canyon head and foot h_f_slope: head to foot slope; slope gradient between canyon head and foot dist_shelf: Distance to shelf (km); euclidian distance of canyon to shelf break; a distance of zero indicates that canyon touchs or intersects the shelf break or within the continental shelf near_canyo: Nearest canyon (km); euclidian distance to the nearest canyon dist_coast: Distance to coast (km); euclidian distance of canyon to Australian coast focal_var: Focal variety; number of neighbouring canyons within a nominated proximity inci_depth: Incision depth (m); averged depth of canyon area that incises into shelf break; slope-confined canyons have values of zero inci_area: Incision area (km2) ; area of canyon area that incises into shelf break; slope-confined canyons have values of zero slope15: Percentage of slope gradient greater than 15 degree; percentage of canyon area with slope gradients greater than 15 degree sinuosity: a measure of sinuosity; larger the value the more sinuous the canyon shelf_inci: Shelf incision; shlef-incising canyons have value of 1; slope-confined canyons have value of zero dist_river: Distance to revier (km); euclidian distance to the mouth of the nearest permanent river uncertain: Uncertainty; mapping uncertainty assigned to canyon; larger the value the more uncertain the mapping is marine_reg: Marine region; the location of the canyon in one of the marine regions canyon_nam: The name of canyon if known map_region: Map region; the location of canyon in one of the map regions Please refer to Marine Geology 357, 362-383 for details of mapping methods.

This dataset provides the spatially continuous data of predicted seabed mud content (sediment fraction finer than 63 µm) expressed as a weight percentage ranging from 0 to 100%, presented in 0.0025 decimal degree (dd) resolution raster grids format and an ascii text file. The dataset covers the north-northwest region of the Australian continental EEZ. This dataset supersedes previous predictions of seabed mud content for the region with demonstrated improvements in accuracy. Accuracy of predictions varies based on density of underlying data and level of seabed complexity. Artefacts occur in this dataset as a result of insufficient samples in relevant areas. This dataset is intended for use at regional scale. The dataset may not be appropriate for use at local scales in areas where sample density is insufficient to detect local variation in sediment properties. To obtain the most accurate interpretation of sediment distribution in these areas, it is recommended that additional samples be collected and interpolations updated.

This resource contains geochemistry data for the Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve (CMR) in the Timor Sea collected by Geoscience Australia during September and October 2012 on RV Solander (survey GA0339/SOL5650). This dataset comprises sediment oxygen demand data from the upper 2 cm of seabed sediments. The Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve survey was undertaken as an activity within the Australian Government's National Environmental Research Program Marine Biodiversity Hub and was the key component of Research Theme 4 - Regional Biodiversity Discovery to Support Marine Bioregional Plans. Hub partners involved in the survey included the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Geoscience Australia, the University of Western Australia, Museum Victoria and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Data acquired during the survey included: multibeam sonar bathymetry and acoustic backscatter; sub-bottom acoustic profiles; physical samples of seabed sediments, infauna and epibenthic biota; towed underwater video and still camera observations of seabed habitats; baited video observations of demersal and pelagic fish, and; oceanographic measurements of the water column from CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth) casts and from deployment of sea surface drifters. Further information on the survey is available in the post-survey report published as Geoscience Australia Record 2013/38: Nichol, S.L., Howard, F.J.F., Kool, J., Stowar, M., Bouchet, P., Radke, L., Siwabessy, J., Przeslawski, R., Picard, K., Alvarez de Glasby, B., Colquhoun, J., Letessier, T. & Heyward, A. 2013. Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve (Timor Sea) Biodiversity Survey: GA0339/SOL5650 - Post Survey Report. Record 2013/38. Geoscience Australia: Canberra. (GEOCAT #76658).

The Oceanic Shoals survey (SOL5650, GA survey 339) was conducted on the R.V. Solander in collaboration with Geoscience Australia, the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), University of Western Australia and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory between 12 September - 5 October, 2012. This dataset comprises an interpreted geomorphic map. Interpreted local-scale geomorphic maps were produced for each survey area in the Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve (CMR) using multibeam bathymetry and backscatter grids at 2 m resolution and bathymetric derivatives (e.g. slope; 1-m contours). Six geomorphic units; bank, depression, mound, plain, scarp and terrace were identified and mapped using definitions suitable for interpretation at the local scale (nominally 1:10 000). Maps and polygons were manual digitised in ArcGIS using the spatial analyst and 3D analyst toolboxes. For further information on the geomorphic mapping methods please refer to Appendix N of the post-survey report, published as Geoscience Australia Record 2013/38: Nichol, S.L., Howard, F.J.F., Kool, J., Stowar, M., Bouchet, P., Radke, L., Siwabessy, J., Przeslawski, R., Picard, K., Alvarez de Glasby, B., Colquhoun, J., Letessier, T. & Heyward, A. 2013. Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve (Timor Sea) Biodiversity Survey: GA0339/SOL5650 Post Survey Report. Record 2013/38. Geoscience Australia: Canberra. (GEOCAT #76658).

Submerged relict reef systems and modern coral communities discovered around the Balls Pyramid shelf are presented as new evidence of extensive carbonate production at the boundary of reef-forming seas. Balls Pyramid is the southernmost island in a chain of island-reefs in the southwest Pacific Ocean, 24 km south of the southernmost known coral reef in the Pacific Ocean at Lord Howe Island. This paper explores the detailed geomorphic structure of the shelf through the production of a high resolution bathymetric model from multibeam echosounder data and depth estimates from satellite imagery. Key seafloor features identified include a large, mid shelf reef dominating the shelf landscape in 20 - 60 m water depth, mid shelf basins and channels, and shelf margin terrace sequences in 50 - 100 m depth. Sub-bottom profiles, backscatter, drill core and vibro-core data are used to investigate the seafloor composition. Drill cores extracted from the submerged reef surface confirm coral, coralline algae and cemented sands composition, and vibro-core material extracted from unconsolidated areas demonstrate substantial accumulation of carbonates shed from the reef surface. Underwater video imagery reveals abundant modern mesophotic reef communities, including hard corals, colonising the relict reef surface. This paper reveals prolific past reef growth and abundant modern coral growth on what was previously considered to be a planated volcanic shelf outside of reef-forming seas, thus extending understanding of reef evolution at, and beyond, the limits of growth.