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Characterisation and Correlation of Active Hydrocarbon Seepage using Geophysical Data Sets: an Example from the Tropical, Carbonate Shelf, the Yampi Shelf, Northwest Australia

Created 02/03/2026

Updated 02/03/2026

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For the first time in Australia, active present-day hydrocarbon seepage has been imaged on the tropical carbonate Yampi Shelf, in 50 and 90 m water depth. Seepage features consist of gas plumes in the water column associated with specific seabed features, such as clusters of reflective blocks, hard-grounds, pockmark fields and mounds. Seepage activity and intensity appear to vary with changes in pressure related to macro-tidal cycles. The seabed features coincide with sub-surface features such as areas of seismic signal attenuation under high amplitude reflectors, seismic discontinuities and bright spots. Hydrocarbon migration-seepage pathways appear to be controlled by the reactivation of pre-existing fractures and dykes within the basement. The types of seabed features and their preservation on a tropical carbonate shelf are strongly influenced by the coarse bioclastic nature of sediments and the high energy of macro-tidal currents and storm reworking.

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Title Characterisation and Correlation of Active Hydrocarbon Seepage using Geophysical Data Sets: an Example from the Tropical, Carbonate Shelf, the Yampi Shelf, Northwest Australia
Language eng
Licence Not Specified
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/833d5d72-31fa-4dfe-81c2-9c317731a105
Contact Point
Geoscience Australia Data
clientservices@ga.gov.au
Reference Period 22/04/2018
Geospatial Coverage
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
{
  "coordinates": [
    [
      [
        124.0,
        -14.0
      ],
      [
        126.0,
        -14.0
      ],
      [
        126.0,
        -13.5
      ],
      [
        124.0,
        -13.5
      ],
      [
        124.0,
        -14.0
      ]
    ]
  ],
  "type": "Polygon"
}
Data Portal Geoscience Australia

Data Source

This dataset was originally found on Geoscience Australia "Characterisation and Correlation of Active Hydrocarbon Seepage using Geophysical Data Sets: an Example from the Tropical, Carbonate Shelf, the Yampi Shelf, Northwest Australia". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://ecat.ga.gov.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/csw/dataset/characterisation-and-correlation-of-active-hydrocarbon-seepage-using-geophysical-data-sets-an-e5