Geomorphology and geology

In the move towards sustainability in the coastal zone, planners and environmental decision makers need a good understanding of coastal geological features and processes. Data derived from shallow water benthic habitat mapping techniques can provide fascinating insights into important seabed characteristics, and have led to the discovery of submerged coral reefs and other features. Merged bathymetric and topographic Digital Elevation Models (in the format of 3D models) of the coast and shelf offer an exciting new perspective in which to view this geologically dynamic environment, which has experienced major fluctuations in sea level over the Quaternary.

Coastal water habitat mapping toolkit

Introduction; Benthic habtat mapping; Techniques; Case studies; Decision tree
Benthic habtat mapping: Mapping overview, How to describe habitats
Techniques: Single beam sounders, Multibeam and swath echosounders, Aerial Photography
Case studies: Abrolhos, Bowling Green Bay, Cape Byron Marine Park, Cockburn Sound, Fitzroy River/Keppel Bay, Marmion Marine Park, Moreton Bay, Parks Victoria, Recherche Archipelago, Sydney

Interactive 3D models

Geomorphic conceptual models

Geomorphic conceptual models have been developed for each of the seven types of Australian estuaries and coastal waterways: Embayments and drowned river valleys, Wave-dominated estuaries, Wave-dominated deltas, Coastal lagoons and strandplains, Tide-dominated estuaries, Tide-dominated deltas, and Tidal creeks