AusBathyTopo (Bass Strait) 30m 2022 - A regional-scale depth model (20220003C)

The Bass Strait Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is a compilation of all available bathymetry data for the area of seabed between the coastlines of Victoria and northern Tasmania, extending approximately 460 km from west of King Island to east of Flinders Island. The Bass Strait is bounded by a continental slope incised with numerous canyons, including the prominent Bass Canyon on the eastern side. The region encompasses islands and exposed rocks, drowned paleo-shorelines and dunefields, fringed by a rugged coastline. Bathymetry mapping of the seafloor is vital for the protection of Bass Strait, allowing for safe navigation of shipping, improved environmental management and resource development. Australian Hydrographic Office-supplied ENC tile spot depths were used to develop the general bathymetry variation across the entire region. Shallow- and deep-water multibeam survey data reveal the complexity of the seafloor for the continental shelf and adjacent canyons which incise the western and eastern sides of Bass Strait. Airborne LiDAR bathymetry acquired by the Australian Hydrographic Office cover most of the northern Tasmanian nearshore and coast, with some coverage gaps supplemented by Landsat-8 satellite derived bathymetry data. The Geoscience Australia-developed Intertidal Elevation Model DEM improves the source data over the intertidal zone. Highly accurate photogrammetry coastline data developed for the Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales coastlines, and Near Surface Feature data representing shoal features observable in aerial imagery, were used to improve the land/water interface of the numerous island and rock features. All source bathymetry data were extensively edited as 3D point clouds to remove noise, given a consistent WGS84 horizontal datum, and where possible, an approximate MSL vertical datum.This dataset is not to be used for navigational purposes.