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Development of a 3D continental chronostratigraphic framework for energy, minerals and groundwater integrated assessments

Created 17/10/2025

Updated 17/10/2025

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Understanding the chronostratigraphy of geological units is crucial for the transition to net zero by providing a 4D framework (three-dimensions through geological time) to assess potential energy and mineral resources, groundwater systems, and storage sites for carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydrogen (H). Integrating geological and hydrogeological data into a unified national 3D framework enhances decision-making across government, industry and communities for sustainable resource management, supports environmental approvals, and cross-jurisdictional collaboration. Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future program and Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity Initiative have advanced 3D conceptualisation of Australia’s sedimentary basins and groundwater systems, standardising stratigraphy and terminology across basins and jurisdictional borders. This enabled consistent 3D geological models revealing potential connections between geological units, reservoirs and aquifers. The integration of airborne electromagnetic and seismic data, with drillhole stratigraphy within a consistent national 3D chronostratigraphic framework underpins depth estimates for the nationwide Estimates of Geological and Geophysical Surfaces (EGGS) database. Collaboration with the jurisdictions harmonised 3D geology, focusing initially on updating aquifer boundaries in a groundwater context. The overarching goal is to improve national geological and groundwater datasets to support integrated management of energy, minerals, and groundwater resources. A key achievement is the national-scale 3D chronostratigraphic surface modelling, based on the Australian Borehole Stratigraphic Units Compilation (ABSUC), consolidating data from 53 sources and 171,396 drillholes. Ongoing refinement of subsurface geology is fundamental for resource potential mapping, multi-commodity assessments, and 3D visualisation, supporting the global energy transition, climate resilience, and water security for communities, industries, and the environment. Australian Energy Producers (AEP) Conference & Exhibition 26-29 May 2025 Brisbane Qld

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Field Value
Title Development of a 3D continental chronostratigraphic framework for energy, minerals and groundwater integrated assessments
Language eng
Licence Not Specified
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/35db7ec4-9e3e-4f05-9e8f-193baf740cde
Contact Point
Geoscience Australia Data
clientservices@ga.gov.au
Reference Period
Geospatial Coverage
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
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    ]
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  "type": "Polygon"
}
Data Portal Geoscience Australia

Data Source

This dataset was originally found on Geoscience Australia "Development of a 3D continental chronostratigraphic framework for energy, minerals and groundwater integrated assessments". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://ecat.ga.gov.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/csw/dataset/development-of-a-3d-continental-chronostratigraphic-framework-for-energy-minerals-and-groundwat