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Coral Spawn and Bathymetric Slicks in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Data from the Timor Sea, Northwest Australia

Created 07/03/2026

Updated 07/03/2026

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Annular to crescent-shaped low back scatter SAR slicks over carbonate reefs and shoals in the Timor Sea with slick `feathering', and within the coral spawning period for the region, are interpreted to be caused by a coral spawn event. In contrast, ocean current data and detailed swath bathymetry of the sea floor to the southeast of the coral spawn slicks suggest that elongate repeating slicks in this area are related to current flow over submarine channels. Assessment of these slicks in association with ancillary data, such as bathymetry, current velocities, weather and timing of scene capture allow a more robust interpretation of their origins. Through differentiating coral spawn and bathymetric slicks from oil and other biological slicks in shallow carbonate systems, such as the Timor Sea, petroleum and environmental assessments for these areas can be improved.

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Additional Info

Field Value
Title Coral Spawn and Bathymetric Slicks in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Data from the Timor Sea, Northwest Australia
Language eng
Licence Not Specified
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/en/dataset/6ee7a20e-6566-4794-be45-31c96bd8f6a2
Contact Point
Geoscience Australia Data
clientservices@ga.gov.au
Reference Period 20/04/2018
Geospatial Coverage
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
{
  "coordinates": [
    [
      [
        120.0,
        -18.0
      ],
      [
        132.0,
        -18.0
      ],
      [
        132.0,
        -10.0
      ],
      [
        120.0,
        -10.0
      ],
      [
        120.0,
        -18.0
      ]
    ]
  ],
  "type": "Polygon"
}
Data Portal Geoscience Australia

Data Source

This dataset was originally found on Geoscience Australia "Coral Spawn and Bathymetric Slicks in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Data from the Timor Sea, Northwest Australia". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://ecat.ga.gov.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/csw/dataset/coral-spawn-and-bathymetric-slicks-in-synthetic-aperture-radar-sar-data-from-the-timor-sea-nort7