The GMRT-AusSeabed project aims to address the cost associated with processing, merging and reformatting of bathymetric data in marine modelling and management. This will be achieved by adopting and expanding the Global Multi-Resolution Topography Synthesis (GMRT) tool and becoming a local platform node focused on Australia’s region of marine responsibility. The GMRT is operated by Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory and funded by the US National Science Foundation. The implementation of GMRT for Australia is supported by funding from the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC). One of the main deliverables for the project is a user needs analysis, which will inform the design of the platform. This report presents a summary of the outcomes of the engagement with the ocean and coastal modelling community to ensure the solutions are fit-for-purpose. The initial project plan included a proposal for in-person workshop with the modelling community to establish user requirements, however COVID-19 restrictions were in place during the project and this was not possible. Instead, requirements were gathered from the community via an online survey. An overview of the survey questions and responses is presented in Section 2, while Section 3 provides some further analysis of the results and recommendations for the design of the new platform.

This flythrough highlights shallow and mesophotic seabed environments of Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs, located within the Lord Howe Marine Park. These reefs are unique because they are the southern-most platform reefs in the world and host a diverse range of tropical, sub-tropical and temperate marine species. High-resolution multibeam bathymetry data and seafloor imagery used in this flythrough was acquired by the Marine Biodiversity Hub, during the period 31 January to 6 February 2020 on board the Australian Maritime College vessel, TV Bluefin. Participating agencies included Geoscience Australia, the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (University of Tasmania), the Australian Centre for Field Robotics (University of Sydney) through their involvement with the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), NSW Department of Primary Industries and Parks Australia. The specific aim of the survey was to fill knowledge gaps on the distribution, extent and structure of seabed habitats and associated sessile and mobile fauna in the lagoon and mesophotic shelves of Elizabeth (Recreational Use Zone) and Middleton (National Park Zone) Reefs, using a suite of national standard survey tools and best practice sampling procedures. Data acquisition for the project included seabed mapping using multibeam sonar (Kongsberg EM 2040C HD, 300 kHz), seabed imagery acquisition by Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV Sirius and AUV Nimbus), sediment samples, and imagery of demersal fish communities by stereo-baited remote underwater videos (stereo-BRUVs). This work was undertaken by the Marine Biodiversity Hub, a collaborative partnership supported through funding from the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program (NESP), and Parks Australia. AUV data was sourced from Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) – IMOS is enabled by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). It is operated by a consortium of institutions as an unincorporated joint venture, with the University of Tasmania as Lead Agent. This multimedia product is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia.

A high-resolution multibeam echosounder (MBES) dataset covering over 279,000 km2 was acquired in the southeastern Indian Ocean to assist the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (MH370) that disappeared on 8 March 2014. The data provided an essential geospatial framework for the search and is the first large-scale coverage of MBES data in this region. Here we report on geomorphic analyses of the new MBES data, including a comparison with the Global Seafloor Geomorphic Features Map (GSFM) that is based on coarser resolution satellite altimetry data, and the insights the new data provide into geological processes that have formed and are currently shaping this remote deepsea area. Our comparison between the new MBES bathymetric model and the latest global topographic/bathymetric model (SRTM15_plus) reveals that 62% of the satellite-derived data points for the study area are comparable with MBES measurements within the estimated vertical uncertainty of the SRTM15_plus model (± 100 m). However, > 38% of the SRTM15_plus depth estimates disagree with the MBES data by > 100 m, in places by up to 1900 m. The new MBES data show that abyssal plains and basins in the study area are significantly more rugged than their representation in the GSFM, with a 20% increase in the extent of hills and mountains. The new model also reveals four times more seamounts than presented in the GSFM, suggesting more of these features than previously estimated for the broader region. This is important considering the ecological significance of high-relief structures on the seabed, such as hosting high levels of biodiversity. Analyses of the new data also enabled sea knolls, fans, valleys, canyons, troughs, and holes to be identified, doubling the number of discrete features mapped. Importantly, mapping the study area using MBES data improves our understanding of the geological evolution of the region and reveals a range of modern sedimentary processes. For example, a large series of ridges extending over approximately 20% of the mapped area, in places capped by sea knolls, highlight the preserved seafloor spreading fabric and provide valuable insights into Southeast Indian Ridge seafloor spreading processes, especially volcanism. Rifting is also recorded along the Broken Ridge – Diamantina Escarpment, with rift blocks and well-bedded sedimentary bedrock outcrops discernible down to 2400 m water depth. Modern ocean floor sedimentary processes are documented by sediment mass transport features, especially along the northern margin of Broken Ridge, and in pockmarks (the finest-scale features mapped), which are numerous south of Diamantina Trench and appear to record gas and/or fluid discharge from underlying marine sediments. The new MBES data highlight the complexity of the search area and serve to demonstrate how little we know about the vast areas of the ocean that have not been mapped with MBES. The availability of high-resolution and accurate maps of the ocean floor can clearly provide new insights into the Earth's geological evolution, modern ocean floor processes, and the location of sites that are likely to have relatively high biodiversity. <b>Citation:</b> Kim Picard, Brendan P. Brooke, Peter T. Harris, Paulus J.W. Siwabessy, Millard F. Coffin, Maggie Tran, Michele Spinoccia, Jonathan Weales, Miles Macmillan-Lawler, Jonah Sullivan, Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 search data reveal geomorphology and seafloor processes in the remote southeast Indian Ocean, <i>Marine Geology</i>, Volume 395, 2018, Pages 301-319, ISSN 0025-3227, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2017.10.014.

This resource includes bathymetry data acquired during the Seamounts, Canyons and Reefs of the Coral Sea bathymetry survey using Kongsberg EM302 and EM710 multibeam sonar systems. The Seamounts, Canyons and Reefs of the Coral Sea bathymetry survey was led by Dr. Brendan Brooke and Dr. Scott Nichol (Geoscience Australia) with a team of scientists from Geoscience Australia, James Cook University, The University of Sydney, University of Tasmania, University of Wollongong, Queensland Museum and Parks Australia aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) RV Falkor from the 2nd to the 30th of August 2020. The primary objective of the survey to collect and analyze geological and biological data of the outer, deep-water edge of the Great Barrier Reef and platform reefs in the adjacent Coral Sea Marine Park. R/V Falkor’s multibeam systems were used to map the structure of the reefs, canyons, and seamounts, illuminating their formative processes. The datasets acquired will greatly improve understanding of the sedimentary processes that influence biodiversity patterns, including how canyons and platform reefs may provide a pathway for sediment to travel from coastal and shelf water to deep filter feeders. The deep and irregular canyon and platform-reef topography likely leads to direct upwelling of nutrient-rich deep waters. This dataset contains a 64m and a 16m, for water depths shallower than 2560m, resolution 32-bit geotiff of the Seamounts, Canyons and Reefs of the Coral Sea survey area produced from the processed EM302 and EM710 bathymetry data combined. This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes. This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia.

<b>This record was superseded on 30/08/2024 with approval from the Director, National Seabed Mapping as it has been superseded by eCat 148613.</b> This dataset represents the current extent of bathymetry surveys held by AusSeabed as of June 2021. This dataset is live and will continue to be augmented as coverage is supplied from AusSeabed collaborators. Surveys have been conducted by a wide range of organisations and countries, both inside and outside Australia's marine jurisdiction, using multiple systems and for various applications. Each polygon in the layer contains metadata describing survey details. Note that polygons may not be representative of the true survey extent due to the data gridding process. To access available survey datasets, links to both bathymetry data and backscatter data have been provided in the URL columns where possible.

The Wilsons Promontory West Glennie and Refuge Cove bathymetry survey was acquired by Deakin University Marine Mapping lab onboard the M/V Yolla on 18 June 2016 using a Kongsberg EM2040c. This survey was part of a Parks Victoria project to assess the impact of the Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park on southern rock lobster populations. These data were collected to provide habitat information in the sampling locations outside the park where no multibeam data existed. The survey was led by Dr. Daniel Ierodiaconou (Deakin University). This dataset contains a 2m-resolution 32-bit floating point GeoTIFF file of the bathymetry in the study area, derived from the processed EM2040C bathymetry data, using CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. A detailed report on the survey is provided in: Young M, Porskamp P, Murfitt S, Wines S, Tinkler P, Bursic, J., Allan B, Howe S, Whitmarsh S, Pocklington J, Ierodiaconou D 2022. Baseline habitat mapping and enhanced monitoring trials of subtidal and intertidal reef habitats in Victoria’s marine national parks and sanctuaries. Parks Victoria Technical Series 116. This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes. This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia.

This resource includes bathymetry data acquired during the Bremer, Leeuwin and Perth Canyons bathymetry survey using Kongsberg EM302 and EM710 multibeam sonar systems. The Bremer, Leeuwin and Perth Canyons survey (FK200126/GA4865), also known as The Great Australian Deep-Sea Coral and Canyon Adventure survey (https://schmidtocean.org/cruise/coralandcanyonadventure), was led by Dr. Julie Trotter (The University of Western Australia) and Dr. Paolo Montagna (Institute of Polar Sciences) aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel Falkor, from the 26th of January to the 25th of February 2020. The primary objective of the expedition was to map underwater landscapes in the Bremer, Leeuwin and Perth Canyons, characterise chemical and physical oceanography, and use the SOIs ROV SuBastian to capture high-definition video and collect samples. This V1 dataset contains nine 2m to 64m resolution 32-bit floating point geotiff files of the bathymetry in these three study areas and transits, derived from the processed EM302 and EM710 bathymetry data, using CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. An independently processed dataset in GSF format is available at https://www.marine-geo.org/tools/search/DataSets.php?data_set_uids=30215,30216 produced by researchers on the cruise: F. Foglini, A. Remia, J. Trotter and P. Montagna (2021; http://get.iedadata.org/doi/330215 & http://get.iedadata.org/doi/330215). This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes. This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia.

This resource includes bathymetry data acquired during the Ashmore Reef Marine Park survey using Kongsberg EM302 and EM710 multibeam sonar systems. The Ashmore Reef Marine Park bathymetry survey (GA4870/FK210409), also known as the Australian Mesophotic Coral Examination survey, was led by AIMS aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel Falkor, from the 09th of April to the 26th of April 2021. The primary objective of the expedition was to map Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCE’s), monitor anthropogenic and natural stressors to MCE’s and use an ROV and AUV to capture high definition video and collect samples. The data collected from the expedition will develop baseline knowledge to inform conservation efforts and improve management of the Ashmore Reef Marine Park. This V1 dataset contains one 16m resolution 32-bit floating point geotiff file of the Ashmore Reef Marine Park bathymetry, derived from the processed EM302 and EM710 bathymetry data, using CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes. This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia.

This is a compilation of bathymetry surveys GA-4415 and GA-0348. GA-4415 survey was conducted by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) onboard the RAN vessel Wyatt Earp in 2013/2014, while GA-0348 survey was a collaboration between Geoscience Australia (GA) , the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Antarctic Division acquired by the AAD workboat Howard Burton during December 2014 to February 2015. The survey goal was to acquire high resolution bathymetry data to improve our understanding of the seafloor using multibeam sonar. The bathymetry data collection will be supplemented by physical sampling of the seafloor sediments and video recordings of the biological communities living in the seafloor. The survey covers areas that are frequently used by the RSV Aurora Australis. Improving our understanding of the seabed environment in these shallow coastal waters will ultimately lead to a better environmental management of the Australian Antarctic Territory. The data will also help the RAN to develop more accurate navigation charts therefore reducing the risk to maritime operation in the region. This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes.

The Peterborough to Port Fairy bathymetry survey was acquired by Deakin University Marine Mapping lab onboard the M/V Yolla during the period 28 May 2018 - 19 June 2018 using a Kongsberg EM2040C multibeam sonar system. The survey was completed as part of the Victorian Coastal Monitoring Program, which requires bathymetry data to understand offshore sediment dynamics within Victorian coastal waters. This dataset contains a 2m-resolution 32-bit floating point GeoTIFF file of the bathymetry in the study area, derived from the processed EM2040C bathymetry data using CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes.