Flinders Ranges Earthquakes 3D VRML Model 2007
GEOCAT
GEOCAT catalogue information is available online at www.ga.gov.au/oracle/agsocat/.
- GEOCAT record number: 65092
- GEOCAT title: Flinders Ranges Earthquakes 3D VRML Model 2007
Introduction
The Flinders Ranges region of South Australia is an area of high topographic relief and high seismicity. This combined with the fact that several faults identified in the Flinders and Mt. Lofty Ranges region have relatively high Quaternary slip rates indicates this is a region of pronounced neotectonic activity. However, we have a very poor understanding of what relationship exists, if any, between the earthquakes and faults. Similarly, because the tectonic stress field in this part of Australia is poorly determined, we do not have a clear understanding of the relationship between the stress field and active faults.
The Flinders Ranges region also exhibits high heat flow, which would suggest a shallow seismogenic crust, and yet earthquake hypocentres, albeit often highly uncertain, indicate that seismicity extends to lower crustal depths. Finally, this high heat flow and the unique crustal structure of the Adelaide Fold Belt may lead to propagation characteristics of earthquake waves that differ from other parts of Australia.
During the period September 2003 - June 2005, Geoscience Australia and Primary Industry and Resources, South Australia (PIRSA) collaborated in a temporary seismograph deployment in the Flinders Ranges region. This deployment consisted of about 18 stations spaced at roughly 30 km intervals. Among the questions about the Flinders Ranges region which this deployment was intended to address were:
- Which faults are seismically active?
- What is the depth of the seismogenic crust?
- Is the earthquake ground motion similar to other parts of Australia?
- How can the regional stress field be characterised?
Over 500 locatable earthquakes were recorded within the network and surrounding areas. This 3D model displays these earthquakes at their true three dimensional location. These data are currently being analysed to determine what their relationship may be to faults, what constraint they place on the crustal stress field, and how earthquake waves propagate in the geologic environment of the Adelaide Fold Belt.
Information
- Geographic extent: The Flinders Ranges region is located in South Australia to the north of Adelaide. The data in this model covers the majority of South Australia.
- Contents: This VRML model contains a DEM surface, satellite image, elevation image, surface geology image, gravity image, magnetic image, seismic stations and earthquake events mapped in their true three dimensional locations for the Flinders Ranges and surrounding region.
- Size: Approximately 3.7 MB.
- VRML: These 3D models use VRML (Virtual Reality Modelling Language), an open source language, developed by the Web3D Consortium.
- Interactive: Users can turn data layers on and off and manipulate the models by rotating, zooming and panning.
Required software
- To view these models, first download and install the following FREE plugin blaxxun Contact
- This software is provided by blaxxun technologies. Geoscience Australia provides no support for the installation or use of this product.
- Other VRML viewers: These 3D models will not function fully with versions of blaxxun Contact older than 5.1, nor with other VRML viewers - they are specifically designed for blaxxun Contact version 5.1 and above.
- System requirements: Internet Explorer version 4 or higher is required to view these models. They do not function fully in other web browsers. More system requirements information is available from the blaxxun Contact support pages.
Opening the model
- Once the FREE plugin blaxxun Contact has been installed, the model can be viewed by opening the model.html page in Internet Explorer version 4 or higher.
- Once the model is open, display and navigation help can be found by pressing the "?" button.
- The model should look like this on first opening: Flinders Ranges VRML Model
Metadata
- Model metadata is available within the metadata.txt file. More information about individual model components is available once the model is open by pressing the help "?".
Any queries about the digital data can be directed to :-
Sales Centre
Geoscience Australia
PO Box 378
Canberra City
ACT 2601
Email : sales@ga.gov.au
Phone : (02) 6249 9519