Data

Norfolk Island Nearshore and Coastal Habitat Mapping

University of Tasmania, Australia
Hussherr, Agathe ; Johnstone, Elizabeth ; Ierodiaconou, Daniel ; Young, Mary
Viewed: [[ro.stat.viewed]] Cited: [[ro.stat.cited]] Accessed: [[ro.stat.accessed]]
ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2FANDS&rft_id=info:doi10.25959/1ZDV-8F08&rft.title=Norfolk Island Nearshore and Coastal Habitat Mapping&rft.identifier=10.25959/1ZDV-8F08&rft.description=Ocean Infinity (Australia) Pty Ltd (formerly iXblue Pty Ltd), in partnership with Deakin University’s Marine Mapping Group, University of Wollongong, Tellus4D Geoimaging, University of Newcastle, University of New South Wales, University of Tasmania, and Geoscience Australia, undertook a combined aerial and hydrographic survey as part of the Norfolk Island Nearshore and Coastal Habitat Mapping project under Parks Australia Grant Activity ID 4-FISKTDM.The work aimed to establish a detailed baseline of Norfolk Island’s nearshore coastal and shelf environments to inform management, conservation, and research. From 21 to 24 July 2021, 109 km² of the Norfolk Shelf was mapped using high-resolution multibeam sonar, along with two sub-bottom profiles. These were supplemented by 44 Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) deployments in the northeast and south of the island to assess fish assemblages and provide ground truthing data for interpretation of seabed nature.In November 2021, a separate coastal survey using high-resolution drone photogrammetry captured geomorphic and habitat information at seven coastal sites: Captain Cook Lookout, Anson Bay, Puppy’s Point, Headstone Point, Slaughter Bay and Bombora Beach, and Cemetery and Emily Bay. These locations span a variety of morphologies, from exposed basaltic shore platforms and dramatic cliffs to offshore stacks and pockets of rocky beach.The data collected by the project provides a detailed view of the marine and coastal geomorphology of Norfolk Island. The data provides an initial condition assessment of key areas to inform park management, habitat protection, and future targeted studies such as further bathymetric mapping in sensitive areas and expanded ground-truthing of seabed habitats.Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlannedStatement: From 21 to 24 July 2021 aboard the M/V Offshore Solution, 109 km² of the Norfolk Shelf were surveyed with a Kongsberg EM2040 Mark II multibeam echosounder. Data were processed to generate high-resolution bathymetric grids and derivative products including slope, fine- and broad-scale Bathymetric Position Index (BPI), and Vector Ruggedness Measure (VRM) to characterise seabed morphology. Two sub-surface profiles were collected using a Sub-Bottom Profiler Echoes 3500 T1 during the hydrographic survey. These data provide information on shallow subsurface sediment structure and layering, complementing the bathymetry and backscatter datasets. The backscatter data acquired with the EM2040 were processed to produce seabed reflectance maps. Acoustic response patterns were interpreted to identify broad seabed types (unconsolidated vs consolidated), with unconsolidated areas further subdivided into approximate grain-size classes (gravel, sand, silty sand, clayey sand, silt, sandy clay) based on variations in backscatter intensity and incorporating visual observations from BRUV imagery to derive a seabed nature product. In November 2021, Tellus4D Geoimaging conducted drone-based aerial photogrammetry using a DJI Mavic 2 platform to capture very high-resolution imagery of seven coastal sites. Orthomosaics were generated and geomorphic interpretation was completed at the University of Wollongong, describing site-specific coastal morphology in relation to orientation and exposure.&rft.creator=Hussherr, Agathe &rft.creator=Johnstone, Elizabeth &rft.creator=Ierodiaconou, Daniel &rft.creator=Young, Mary &rft.date=2025&rft.coverage=westlimit=167.89; southlimit=-29.11; eastlimit=168.06; northlimit=-28.945&rft.coverage=westlimit=167.89; southlimit=-29.11; eastlimit=168.06; northlimit=-28.945&rft.coverage=uplimit=60; downlimit=0&rft.coverage=uplimit=60; downlimit=0&rft_rights=Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/&rft_rights=Cite data as: Ocean Infinity Pty Ltd, Ierodiaconou, D., & Young, M. (2022). Norfolk Island Nearshore and Coastal Habitat Mapping [Data set]. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. https://doi.org/10.25959/1ZDV-8F08&rft_rights=Please also cite the associated project report when using this data: Ocean Infinity Pty Ltd., 2022. Norfolk Island Nearshore and Coastal Habitat Mapping. Final project report to the Director of National Parks. Grant Activity ID: 4-FISKTDM.&rft_rights=This dataset is hosted by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, on behalf of Ocean Infinity and Parks Australia for the purposes of the Seamap Australia collaborative project.&rft_subject=biota&rft_subject=elevation&rft_subject=geoscientificInformation&rft_subject=Habitat Mapping&rft_subject=Seafloor Classification&rft_subject=Seabed Nature&rft_subject=Marine Parks&rft_subject=BATHYMETRY/SEAFLOOR TOPOGRAPHY&rft_subject=EARTH SCIENCE&rft_subject=OCEANS&rft_subject=BENTHIC&rft_subject=BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION&rft_subject=Marine Planning Regions (Australia) | Norfolk&rft_subject=Offshore Islands (Australia) | Norfolk Island&rft.type=dataset&rft.language=English Access the data
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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Cite data as: Ocean Infinity Pty Ltd, Ierodiaconou, D., & Young, M. (2022). Norfolk Island Nearshore and Coastal Habitat Mapping [Data set]. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. https://doi.org/10.25959/1ZDV-8F08

Please also cite the associated project report when using this data: Ocean Infinity Pty Ltd., 2022. Norfolk Island Nearshore and Coastal Habitat Mapping. Final project report to the Director of National Parks. Grant Activity ID: 4-FISKTDM.

This dataset is hosted by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, on behalf of Ocean Infinity and Parks Australia for the purposes of the Seamap Australia collaborative project.

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Full description

Ocean Infinity (Australia) Pty Ltd (formerly iXblue Pty Ltd), in partnership with Deakin University’s Marine Mapping Group, University of Wollongong, Tellus4D Geoimaging, University of Newcastle, University of New South Wales, University of Tasmania, and Geoscience Australia, undertook a combined aerial and hydrographic survey as part of the Norfolk Island Nearshore and Coastal Habitat Mapping project under Parks Australia Grant Activity ID 4-FISKTDM.

The work aimed to establish a detailed baseline of Norfolk Island’s nearshore coastal and shelf environments to inform management, conservation, and research. From 21 to 24 July 2021, 109 km² of the Norfolk Shelf was mapped using high-resolution multibeam sonar, along with two sub-bottom profiles. These were supplemented by 44 Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) deployments in the northeast and south of the island to assess fish assemblages and provide ground truthing data for interpretation of seabed nature.

In November 2021, a separate coastal survey using high-resolution drone photogrammetry captured geomorphic and habitat information at seven coastal sites: Captain Cook Lookout, Anson Bay, Puppy’s Point, Headstone Point, Slaughter Bay and Bombora Beach, and Cemetery and Emily Bay. These locations span a variety of morphologies, from exposed basaltic shore platforms and dramatic cliffs to offshore stacks and pockets of rocky beach.

The data collected by the project provides a detailed view of the marine and coastal geomorphology of Norfolk Island. The data provides an initial condition assessment of key areas to inform park management, habitat protection, and future targeted studies such as further bathymetric mapping in sensitive areas and expanded ground-truthing of seabed habitats.

Lineage

Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlanned
Statement: From 21 to 24 July 2021 aboard the M/V Offshore Solution, 109 km² of the Norfolk Shelf were surveyed with a Kongsberg EM2040 Mark II multibeam echosounder. Data were processed to generate high-resolution bathymetric grids and derivative products including slope, fine- and broad-scale Bathymetric Position Index (BPI), and Vector Ruggedness Measure (VRM) to characterise seabed morphology. Two sub-surface profiles were collected using a Sub-Bottom Profiler Echoes 3500 T1 during the hydrographic survey. These data provide information on shallow subsurface sediment structure and layering, complementing the bathymetry and backscatter datasets. The backscatter data acquired with the EM2040 were processed to produce seabed reflectance maps. Acoustic response patterns were interpreted to identify broad seabed types (unconsolidated vs consolidated), with unconsolidated areas further subdivided into approximate grain-size classes (gravel, sand, silty sand, clayey sand, silt, sandy clay) based on variations in backscatter intensity and incorporating visual observations from BRUV imagery to derive a "seabed nature" product. In November 2021, Tellus4D Geoimaging conducted drone-based aerial photogrammetry using a DJI Mavic 2 platform to capture very high-resolution imagery of seven coastal sites. Orthomosaics were generated and geomorphic interpretation was completed at the University of Wollongong, describing site-specific coastal morphology in relation to orientation and exposure.

Notes

Credit
Director of National Parks (Parks Australia), Ocean Infinity

Issued: 30 07 2025

Data time period: 2021-07-21 to 2021-11-30

This dataset is part of a larger collection

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168.06,-28.945 168.06,-29.11 167.89,-29.11 167.89,-28.945 168.06,-28.945

167.975,-29.0275

text: westlimit=167.89; southlimit=-29.11; eastlimit=168.06; northlimit=-28.945

text: uplimit=60; downlimit=0

Subjects
BATHYMETRY/SEAFLOOR TOPOGRAPHY | BENTHIC | BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION | EARTH SCIENCE | Habitat Mapping | Marine Parks | Marine Planning Regions (Australia) | Norfolk | OCEANS | Offshore Islands (Australia) | Norfolk Island | Seabed Nature | Seafloor Classification | biota | elevation | geoscientificInformation |

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Other Information
(DATA ACCESS - Norfolk Island coastal habitat mapping [direct download .zip])

url : https://data.imas.utas.edu.au/attachments/227466d6-30d3-4567-9ee3-2eb8c98e14bc/Seabed/NI_SeabedNature_WGS84.zip

(DATA ACCESS - Norfolk Island bathymetry 1m [direct download .tif])

url : https://data.imas.utas.edu.au/attachments/227466d6-30d3-4567-9ee3-2eb8c98e14bc/Seabed/NFK_1m_Depth_WGS84.tif

(DATA ACCESS - Norfolk Island backscatter 1m [direct download .tif])

url : https://data.imas.utas.edu.au/attachments/227466d6-30d3-4567-9ee3-2eb8c98e14bc/Seabed/NFK_1m_BS_WGS84.tif

(DATA ACCESS - Norfolk Island orthomosaics [browse + download])

url : https://data.imas.utas.edu.au/attachments/227466d6-30d3-4567-9ee3-2eb8c98e14bc/Orthomosaics

MAP - Norfolk MP coastal habitat mapping (WMS) (SeamapAus_Ext_OI_NorfolkMP_substrate_2022_grp)

url : https://geoserver.imas.utas.edu.au/geoserver/seamap/wms

MAP - Norfolk MP bathymetry 1m (WMS) (NorfolkMP_OI_bathy_1m_grp)

url : https://geoserver.imas.utas.edu.au/geoserver/seamap/wms

MAP - Norfolk MP backscatter 1m (WMS) (NorfolkMP_OI_backscatter_1m)

url : https://geoserver.imas.utas.edu.au/geoserver/seamap/wms

MAP - Norfolk Island coastal orthomosaics (WMS) (OI_NorfolkIsland_orthomosaic)

url : https://geoserver.imas.utas.edu.au/geoserver/seamap/wms

(View and interact with data on Seamap Australia online mapping portal)

url : https://seamapaustralia.org/map/#d1eca977-b459-449f-a6f5-853e38934896

Norfolk Island Nearshore and Coastal Habitat Mapping (2022). Commonwealth of Australia. (Final Project Report)

url : https://data.imas.utas.edu.au/attachments/227466d6-30d3-4567-9ee3-2eb8c98e14bc/Ocean_Infinity-NI_Habitat_Mapping-Dec2022.pdf

global : 4739e4b0-4dba-4ec5-b658-02c09f27ab9a

local : 02czsnj07

local : 0000-0002-7832-4801

local : 02czsnj07

local : 0000-0001-7426-2343

Identifiers