First continental layered geological map of Australia  


Authors / CoAuthors

Sanchez, G. | Liu, S. | Stewart, A.J. | Bonnardot, M. | Beyer, E. | Czarnota, K. | Highet, L. | Woods, M. | Brown, C. | Clark, A. | Connors, K. | Wong, S. | Cloutier, J. | Czarnota, K.

Abstract

<div><strong>Output Type: </strong>Exploring for the Future Extended abstract</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Short Abstract: </strong>The increasing demand for mineral, energy and groundwater resources to support sustainable development and achieve net zero carbon targets in the face of climate change necessitates a deeper understanding of Earth’s resources and geological processes. Traditional 2D geological maps, while valuable for synthesizing and communicating geoscientific information, are limited in depicting the full extent and depth of geological units, which is crucial for effective resource exploration and management. Here, we present the Layered Geological Map of Australia (LGMA) dataset, the world’s first layered geological model at the continental scale. It integrates diverse geological, geochemical and geophysical datasets to create a comprehensive, machine-readable 3D geological framework spanning Australia's surface and subsurface. The dataset contains approximately 185,000 polygons representing the extent of around 7,600 geological units grouped into five chronostratigraphic layers corresponding to major Era boundaries (Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic, Neoproterozoic and pre-Neoproterozoic). Standardised and consistent chrono-lithostratigraphy for each geological unit were captured through the Australian Stratigraphic Units Database (ASUD) and linked to the layered geology map to provide an attribute-rich dataset that can be queried and visualised in Geographic Information System (GIS) software or 3D modelling packages. The LGMA represents a significant advancement in Australian geoscience towards a 3D geological model of Australia, offering a foundational resource for academia, government, and industry alike.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Citation: </strong>Sanchez, G., Liu, S., Steward, A.J., Bonnardot, M.A., Beyer, E.E., Czarnota, K., Highet, L.M., Woods, M., Brown, C.E., Clark, A., Connors, K., Wong, S. &amp; Cloutier, J., 2024. First continental layered geological map of Australia. In: Czarnota, K. (ed.) Exploring for the Future: Extended Abstracts, Geoscience Australia, Canberra, https://doi.org/10.26186/149391</div>

Product Type

document

eCat Id

149391

Contact for the resource

  Resource provider

 

  Point of contact

Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia)  
Cnr Jerrabomberra Ave and Hindmarsh Dr GPO Box 378
Canberra
ACT
2601
Australia

  Point of contact

 

Digital Object Identifier

https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/149391

Keywords

( Project )
  • EFTF – Exploring for the Future
( Project )
  • Australia’s Resources Framework
  • Solid Geology
  • Australian Stratigraphic Unit Database (ASUD)
  • Lithostratigraphy
  • Chronostratigraphy
  • geology
  • Australia
theme.ANZRC Fields of Research.rdf
  • Geology not elsewhere classified
  • Published_External

Publication Date

2024-08-11T22:56:48

Creation Date

2024-03-29T18:00:00

Security Constraints

Australian Government Security Classification System    

Classification - unclassified

Legal Constraints

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence    

Use - license otherRestrictions

Status

completed

Purpose

This is an EFTF Extended Abstract

Maintenance Information

asNeeded

Topic Category

geoscientificInformation

Series Information

Lineage

<div>The solid geology of Australia layers were produced using various types of techniques including geophysics, drilling, geochemical analysis. GA’s total magnetic intensity grid of Australia, GA’s bouguer gravity as well as GA’s Airborne Electromagnetic data (AEM). Calibration of these data was done using a recent GA national compilation of borehole data along with the GA surface geology of Australia. When available, additional regional geophysical datasets (Katona et al., 2021) and bedrock geology maps were integrated into the interpretive workflow. OZCHEM geochemical database along with additional individual publications of geochemical data (Champion et al., 2016) were also used to decipher the lithology and chemical character of rocks. Finally, GA's crustal boundaries and GA's basin province database were used in places to complement interpretation.</div><div><br></div>

Parent Information

Extents

[-44, -9, 112, 154]

Reference System

Spatial Resolution

Service Information

Associations

Association Type - hadDerivation

Layered geology of Australia    

eCat Identifier - 149179,

UUID - ddb4a489-2e6c-437e-93c9-e90cd66aef69

Downloads and Links

Extended Abstract for download (pdf) [4.3 MB]  

Source Information