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Seamless geology project

NSW Seamless Geology update

An update to the NSW Seamless Geology Data Package (version 2.2) was released in May 2022 and includes the following features.

  • Field work over the South Cobar Mineral Exploration Cooperative Research Centre Area has resulted in many changes to the Cenozoic Sedimentary Province, Western Devonian Basins, and Lachlan Orogen layers.
  • A major upgrade of the geology of the area covered by the Ulladulla 1:100,000 map sheet area plus the Permian parts of the Batemans Bay 1:100,000 map sheet area was undertaken during version 2.2 of the Seamless Geology. The upgrade to the geology was compiled from 51 published and unpublished maps and reports, along with detailed (1:10,000 scale) interpretation from high resolution (50 cm cell size) ADS imagery and a 1–2 m LIDAR DEM merge.
  • Additional data was added from the unpublished Camberwell 1:25,000 geology map. Additional structural and fold data was added from the following published maps: Hunter Coalfield 1:100,000 map, Rouchel 1:50,000 geology map, and Dubbo 1:250,000 geology map.
  • Structural data, fold axes and trendlines were added to the Lachlan Orogen data from numerous published and unpublished sources over the following areas: Stuart Town–Mumbil, Mount Dulabree and Mount Horrible Synclines, Yalwal, Ettrema Creek, Shoalhaven River and Bumbo Creek.
  • Detailed mapping of the Cupala Creek Syncline area was added to the Cambrian Delamerian Orogen layers (near White Cliffs, Kayrunnera 1:100,000 map sheet area, far western NSW) from Powell et al. (1982).
  • 1538 structure points from the GSNSW’s FieldObs database were added to the Seamless Geology dataset, mostly from the Lachlan, Delamerian and Thomson orogens.
  • 1:25,000 scale mapping of the Jervis Bay area on the NSW South Coast was added to the Seamless Geology dataset during version 2.2. The Jervis Bay Territory Geology map (Abell 1992) was based on extensive geological work undertaken by AGSO (now Geoscience Australia) in the 1980s and 1990s over the Federal Government-controlled Jervis Bay Territory.
  • Two new fields were added to the RockUnit attribute tables of all layers at version 2.2. Top_Age_Basis and Base_Age_Basis summarise the dating information which has been used to constrain the age of the top and base of the stratigraphic unit. An Ultramafic field has been added to the attribute table of the Cenozoic Igneous Province layer.
  • Updates and error fixes to all layers.

The dataset is also available in a single layer version, in which the various time slices have been flattened into a single layer, effectively presenting the surface geology only.

The data packages are available in the GDA94 and GDA2020 datums.

 

Datasets available for viewing and download

 

Value-added and related products

Numerous products using the NSW Seamless Geology Geodatabase have been generated or are in preparation. These include:

What is the NSW Seamless Geology?

  • An initial five-year project (2013–2018) to complete Version 1 of the statewide product.
  • Joins the best-available geological mapping (on a variety of scales) across NSW.
  • Connects line mismatches (e.g. geological boundaries, faults etc.) across existing geological map sheet boundaries.
  • Harmonises stratigraphic units across NSW.
  • Forms an integral part of ongoing work such as 3D, mineral potential and metamorphic mapping across NSW.
  • Will be a continuously updated dataset, with new versions released at regular intervals.
  • For a detailed explanation of the methods used in the NSW Seamless Geology Project, see the Quarterly Note 145 of the Geological Survey of NSW (GSNSW).

Features of the NSW Seamless Geology dataset

  • Data is presented as a series of lithotectonic layers/provinces that form geological time-slices (see figure below), ranging from the Palaeoproterozoic structural and metamorphic evolution of the Broken Hill Block, to the Quaternary depositional systems of the east coast.
  • It includes extensions of outcropping geology undercover (i.e. solid pre-Permian basement beneath younger sedimentary basins and unconsolidated sediments).
  • A standard database structure and schema contain comprehensive attribute tables for each stratigraphic unit, enabling detailed querying and extraction of datasets such as geology, structure, metamorphism and geochronology.
  • Free download is available in a variety of formats including GIS, mobile phone maps and online portals.
Seamless-Geology-Dataset-NSW

The NSW Seamless Geology dataset composed of lithotectonic layers/provinces

We would like your feedback

The NSW Seamless Geology dataset is compiled from the best available mapping - mostly from the GSNSW, with some thesis mapping. The data will be continuously improved by fixing identified issues, future GSNSW mapping programs and incorporation of better-quality company or thesis mapping, with periodic updates to improve the NSW Seamless Geology dataset.

Our aim is to make this dataset the authoritative source of geology for NSW.

So, if you find a problem or if you know of better mapping - please let us know.

NSW-Seamless-Geology-Project-Workflow

NSW Seamless Geology project workflow

Contacts

gary.colquhoun@regional.nsw.gov.au

chris.folkes@regional.nsw.gov.au