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Hydrogeology of Australia

Created 17/10/2025

Updated 17/10/2025

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The hydrogeological map of Australia has been compiled at a scale of 1:5 000 000 according to the guidelines of the international legend for hydrogeological maps adapted for the unique conditions of the Australian continent. The map shows aquifer type, lithology, salinity, potentiometry, and groundwater flow directions, and major groundwater abstraction sites. The hydrogeology of the Australian continent is described in terms of principal aquifers, defined as those producing the best-quality water at highest yield from the shallowest depth. Aquifers are defined as porous or fissured, and subdivided in terms of their extent and productivity; these aspects are shown in solid colour on the map. Subsidiary aquifers are indicated for certain layered systems in major sedimentary basins. Groundwater salinity is indicated by a line representing 1500 mg L _ 1 total dissolved solids, the Australian limit for drinking water. Further subdivision of saline waters is shown on an inset map. The potentiometric surface, general directions of groundwater flow, and groundwater discharge features are shown where information is available. Some important man-made features are also shown, including abstraction sites and locations of the emerging problems of groundwater pollution and salinisation. Inset maps show elements of the Australian hydrogeological environment: topography, annual rainfall deficit, and drainage and runoff. Major hydrogeological divisions of the continent are the large sedimentary basins, fractured-rock provinces, and the overlying surficial aquifers. Large unexploited groundwater resources are held in some of the sedimentary basins and surficial aquifers.

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Additional Info

Field Value
Title Hydrogeology of Australia
Language eng
Licence Not Specified
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/95030e30-13b9-4605-837f-7b3753cf2254
Contact Point
Geoscience Australia Data
clientservices@ga.gov.au
Reference Period 20/04/2018
Geospatial Coverage
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
{
  "coordinates": [
    [
      [
        112.0,
        -44.0
      ],
      [
        155.0,
        -44.0
      ],
      [
        155.0,
        -10.0
      ],
      [
        112.0,
        -10.0
      ],
      [
        112.0,
        -44.0
      ]
    ]
  ],
  "type": "Polygon"
}
Data Portal Geoscience Australia

Data Source

This dataset was originally found on Geoscience Australia "Hydrogeology of Australia". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://ecat.ga.gov.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/csw/dataset/hydrogeology-of-australia