The National Geological Maps project compiles national scale information on Australian geology. The datasets are held within Geoscience Australia but draw heavily on data acquired from the State and Northern Territory geological surveys. Data coverage extends throughout the Australian jurisdiction including onshore, marine zones and the Australian Antarctic Territory.
The project consists of three components:
An improved understanding of Australian geology to enhance promotion of the country's mineral and petroleum exploration investment potential as well as a variety of land use and resource evaluation issues.
**NEW** Western Australia - released December 2008
Digital surface geology data at 1:1 million scale is now available for the whole Australian land mass with the release of Western Australia in December 2008. The data provide an invaluable tool for large-scale regional and national evaluation of resource potential, environmental issues and land use.
The digital datasets for Western Australia, South Australia*, Northern Territory and New South Wales were compiled largely from current 1:250 000 geological data. The Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania datasets were compiled largely from regional 1:500 000 and 1:1 million scale map data, but have been extensively updated using recent 1:250 000 and 1:100 000 source data. The compilations involved extensive edge-matching of individual map areas and application of a consistent stratigraphic and regolith classification scheme across the country.The digital data have a spatial accuracy of between 200 metres and one kilometre depending on the quality of the original source data. The datasets come with comprehensive metadata attached.
The data is available for free download in ESRI coverage and shapefile formats, as individual State and Territory files due to the large size of the whole-of-Australia data. The data can also be ordered on DVD from our Sales Centre.
We acknowledge extensive collaboration with the State and the Northern Territory Geological Surveys staff including the provision of source data, advice and review of compiled data.
* Users should note that Ordovician and younger units in the current South Australian data set have not been reviewed by Primary Industries and Resources SA staff and should be considered preliminary.