Rachel Nanson, Andrew Carroll, Mardi McNeil, Scott Nichol, Zhi Huang, Donna-marie Audas, Jasmin Wells, Aero Leplastrier, Ross Whitmore, Stephanie Joyce, Jonah Sullivan, Molly Kamenz
Geoscience Australia, Oceans, Reefs, Coasts and Antarctic Branch, Canberra, Australia
Australia's ocean estate presents opportunities for offshore renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen storage, all critical to achieving net zero targets. However, only 35% of the continental shelf has been mapped in sufficient detail to inform decision-making, increasing uncertainty, regulatory complexity, and investment risk.
Pre-competitive geoscience data, particularly seabed geomorphology supported by bathymetry, provide essential regional context to identify suitable locations for offshore infrastructure and support environmental impact assessments. By translating complex seabed information into accessible formats, geomorphology maps enable more confident planning, streamline regulatory processes, and reduce costs for industry and government.
Australia’s seabed is highly diverse, requiring integrated analysis of bathymetric, sediment, and subsurface data to produce reliable geomorphology maps. Consistent, transparent mapping approaches are critical to ensure outputs are comparable and fit-for-purpose across jurisdictions and sectors.
Geoscience Australia has led an international collaboration through the International Seabed Geomorphology Mapping Working Group (ISGM) to develop a globally applicable seabed geomorphology mapping approach. To support the practical implementation of this framework, ISGM and Geoscience Australia have developed digital tools, standardised vocabularies, and online resources. This poster demonstrates how these advances improve the consistency, usability, and impact of geomorphology mapping to support decision-making and de-risk sustainable offshore development.