Visioning the Coral Sea Marine Park bathymetry survey (FK200429/GA4861)

This resource includes bathymetry data acquired during the Visioning the Coral Sea Marine Park bathymetry survey using Kongsberg EM302 and EM710 multibeam sonar systems. Visioning the Coral Sea Marine Park bathymetry survey (FK200429/GA4861) was led by Dr. Rob Beaman (James Cook University) and a team of scientists from Geoscience Australia, The University of Sydney, and the Queensland Museum, aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor, from the 29th of April to 11th of June 2020. The primary objective of the survey was to map in detail the Queensland Plateau, including the steeper reef flanks and target the enigmatic seabed features, like the numerous drowned reef pinnacles and long meandering channels on the plateau surface. The second objective of this survey was to investigate the extent of the bleaching on the mesophotic or deeper reef, and if these reefs could act as a potential refuge for the Great Barrier Reef. The survey also aimed at providing insights into the geological evolution and biodiversity of Australia’s marine frontier. This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes. This dataset is published with the permission of the CEO, Geoscience Australia.