From 1 - 10 / 52
  • The Surface Hydrology Points (Regional) dataset provides a set of related features classes to be used as the basis of the production of consistent hydrological information. This dataset contains a geometric representation of major hydrographic point elements - both natural and artificial. This dataset is the best available data supplied by Jurisdictions and aggregated by Geoscience Australia it is intended for defining hydrological features.

  • 60 second video announcing Digital Earth Australia - a world first analysis platform for satellite imagery and other Earth observations.

  • <div>These videos provide tutorials on how to use the Geoscience Australia Data portal in the classroom. They include a guide for basic navigation, how to load 2D map data sets (elevation, surface geology and critical minerals) as well as accessing a 3D data model (earthquakes).&nbsp;Additionally, they demonstrate how to directly compare multiple data and how to share collated data through a shareable link.</div><div>Videos included:</div><div>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Introduction to using the Geoscience Australia Data Portal (2:15)</div><div>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;How to access elevation, surface geology and critical minerals data in the Geoscience Australia Data Portal (4:26)</div><div>- How to view the global distribution of earthquakes using the Geoscience Australia Data Portal (2:51)</div><div><br></div><div>These videos are suitable for use by secondary students and adults.</div>

  • The North Australian Zinc Belt is the largest zinc–lead province in the world, containing 3 of the 10 largest individual deposits known. Despite this pedigree, exploration in this province during the past two decades has not been particularly successful, yielding only one significant deposit (Teena). One of the most important aspects of exploration is to choose regions or provinces that have greatest potential for discovery. Here, we present results from zinc belts in northern Australia and North America, which highlight previously unused datasets for area selection and targeting at the craton to district scale. Lead isotope mapping using analyses of mineralised material has identified gradients in μ (238U/204Pb) that coincide closely with many major deposits. Locations of these deposits also coincide with a gradient in the depth of the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary determined from calibrated surface wave tomography models converted to temperature. In Australia, gradients in upward-continued gravity anomalies and a step in Moho depth corresponding to a pre-existing major crustal boundary are also observed. The change from thicker to thinner lithosphere is interpreted to localise prospective basins for zinc–lead and copper–cobalt mineralisation, and to control the gradient in lead isotope and other geophysical data. <b>Citation:</b> Huston, D.L., Champion, D.C., Czarnota, K., Hutchens, M., Hoggard, M., Ware, B., Richards, F., Tessalina, S., Gibson, G.M. and Carr, G., 2020. Lithospheric-scale controls on zinc–lead–silver deposits of the North Australian Zinc Belt: evidence from isotopic and geophysical data. In: Czarnota, K., Roach, I., Abbott, S., Haynes, M., Kositcin, N., Ray, A. and Slatter, E. (eds.) Exploring for the Future: Extended Abstracts, Geoscience Australia, Canberra, 1–4.

  • Comprises a national satellite imagery mosaic and derived information products produced by a collaboration of CSIRO, Geoscience Australia (GA) and State and Territory Surveys, and several additional national and international collaborators. Mineral products were derived using a validated mosaic of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data. <b>Value: </b>The data are used to understand distributions of and changes in surface materials and assessment of environmental, agricultural and resource potential. <b>Scope: </b>This dataset covers the continent with the intent to provide the best quality mosaic from 10+ year archive of scenes across Australia (i.e., lowest cloud/vegetation cover, high sun angle etc)

  • Analysis Ready Data (ARD) are satellite data that have been pre-processed for immediate analysis with minimal user effort. The generation of Surface Reflectance (SR) from optical satellite data, involves a series of corrections to standardise the data and enable meaningful comparison of data from multiple sensors and across time. Surface reflectance data are foundational for time-series analyses and rapid generation of other information products. Field based validation of surface reflectance data is therefore critical to determine its fitness for purpose, and applicability for downstream product development. In this paper, an approach for continental scale validation of the surface reflectance data from Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 satellites, using field-based measurements that are near-synchronous to the satellite observations over multiple sites across Australia is presented. Good practice measurement protocols governing the acquisition of field data, including field instrument calibration, sampling strategy and approach for post-collection processing and management of field spectral data are outlined. This study has been a nationally coordinated, collaborative field data collection campaign across Australia. Permanent field sites, to support validation efforts within the broader Earth Observation (EO) community for continental scale products were also identified. The approach is expected to serve as a model for coordinated ongoing validation of ARD products at continental to global scales. Presented at the 2019 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS)

  • We present a multifaceted hydrogeological investigation of the McBride and Nulla basalt provinces in the Upper Burdekin region, north Queensland. The project aims to better understand their key groundwater system processes to inform future development and water management decisions. This work, carried out as part of the Exploring for the Future Upper Burdekin Groundwater Project, has shown that basalt aquifers in each province are typically unconfined where monitored. Groundwater recharge is widespread but highly variable, largely occurring within the boundaries of the basalt provinces. Groundwater salinity based on electrical conductivity is <1000 μS/cm in the McBride Basalt Province (MBP) and up to 2000 μS/cm in the Nulla Basalt Province (NBP). Groundwater levels have been declining since 2011 (following major flooding in Queensland), showing that the study period covers a small fraction of a longer-functioning dynamic groundwater system. The basalt provinces contain distinct lava flows, and the degree of hydraulic connectivity between them is unclear. Despite similarities in their rock properties, the geometry of lava emplacement leads to different groundwater flow regimes within the two basalt provinces. Radial flow away from the central high elevations towards the edges is characteristic of the MBP, while regional flow from west to east dominates the NBP. Basalt aquifers in both provinces support a range of groundwater-dependent ecosystems, such as springs, some of which sustain flow in tributaries of the Burdekin River. Where streams intersect basalt aquifers, this also results in direct groundwater discharge. Springs and perennial tributaries, particularly emanating from the MBP, provide important inflows to the Burdekin River, especially in the dry season. This work has highlighted that management of MBP and NBP groundwater sources is crucial for maintaining a range of environmental assets in the region and for ensuring access for existing and future users. <b>Citation:</b> Ransley, T.R., Dixon-Jain, P., Cook, S.B., Lai, E.C.S., Kilgour, P., Wallace, L., Dunn, B., Hansen, J.W.L. and Herbert, G., 2020. Hydrogeology of the McBride and Nulla basalt provinces in the Upper Burdekin region, north Queensland. In: Czarnota, K., Roach, I., Abbott, S., Haynes, M., Kositcin, N., Ray, A. and Slatter, E. (eds.) Exploring for the Future: Extended Abstracts, Geoscience Australia, Canberra, 1–4.

  • <div>The Kati Thanda – Lake Eyre Basin (KT–LEB) covers about 1.2 million square kilometres of outback Australia. Although the basin is sparsely populated and relatively undeveloped it hosts nationally significant environmental and cultural heritage, including unique desert rivers, sweeping arid landscapes, and clusters of major artesian springs. The basin experiences climatic extremes that intermittently cycle between prolonged droughts and massive inland floods, with groundwater resources playing a critical role in supporting the many communities, industries, ecological systems, and thriving First Nations culture of the KT–LEB.</div><div><br></div><div>As part of Geoscience Australia’s National Groundwater Systems Project (in the Exploring for the Future Program) this report brings together contemporary data and information relevant to understanding the regional geology, hydrogeology and groundwater systems of Cenozoic rocks and sediments of the KT–LEB. This work represents the first whole-of-basin assessment into these vitally important shallow groundwater resources, which have previously received far less scientific attention than the deeper groundwater systems of the underlying Eromanga Basin (part of the Great Artesian Basin). The new knowledge and insights about the geology and hydrogeology of the basin generated by this study will benefit the many users of groundwater within the region and will help to improve sustainable management and use of groundwater resources across the KT–LEB.</div><div><br></div>

  • <b>BACKGROUND</b> <p> <p>The United States Geological Survey's (USGS) Landsat satellite program has been capturing images of the Australian continent for more than 30 years. This data is highly useful for land and coastal mapping studies. <p>In particular, the light reflected from the Earth’s surface (surface reflectance) is important for monitoring environmental resources – such as agricultural production and mining activities – over time. <p>We need to make accurate comparisons of imagery acquired at different times, seasons and geographic locations. However, inconsistencies can arise due to variations in atmospheric conditions, sun position, sensor view angle, surface slope and surface aspect. These need to be reduced or removed to ensure the data is consistent and can be compared over time. <p>&nbsp</p> <b>WHAT THIS PRODUCT OFFERS</b> <p> <p>GA Landsat 5 TM Analysis Ready Data Collection 3 takes Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery captured over the Australian continent and corrects for inconsistencies across land and coastal fringes. The result is accurate and standardised surface reflectance data, which is instrumental in identifying and quantifying environmental change. <p> <p>The TM instrument is an advanced, multispectral scanning, Earth resources sensor which is designed to categorise the Earth's surface. It is particularly useful for agricultural applications and identification of land use. <p> <p>This product is a single, cohesive Analysis Ready Data (ARD) package, which allows you to analyse surface reflectance data as is, without the need to apply additional corrections. <p> <p>It contains three sub-products that provide corrections or attribution information: <p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1) GA Landsat 5 TM NBAR Collection 3 <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2) GA Landsat 5 TM NBART Collection 3 <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3) GA Landsat 5 TM OA Collection 3 <p> <p>The resolution is a 30 m grid based on the USGS Landsat Collection 1 archive.

  • A comprehensive compilation of rock, regolith and groundwater geochemistry across the Curnamona Province and overlying basins. This product is part of the Curnamona Geochemistry module of GA's Exploring for the Future program, which is seeking to understand geochemical baselines within the Curnamona Province to support mineral exploration under cover. Data is sourced from GA, CSIRO and state databases, and run through a quality control process to address common database issues (such as unit errors). The data has been separated by sample type and migrated into a standard data structure to make the data internally consistent. A central source for cleaned geochemical data in the same data format is a valuable resource for further research and exploration in the region.