The Western Australian government has released the first set of seismic data from its ambitious WA Array project, marking a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to enhance understanding of its complex geology.
This $30 million, decade-long initiative aims to revolutionise mineral exploration, land use planning, and seismic hazard mitigation while supporting Western Australia’s transition to a net-zero emissions future.
The WA Array project, launched in 2022, is one of the world’s largest high-resolution passive seismic surveys. It involves the deployment of 165 seismometers across Western Australia, arranged in a grid pattern with 40-kilometre spacing.
The entire state will be mapped over time by annually relocating the instruments between nine regional areas.
The first phase of data collection focused on the South West region of Western Australia, is now available through the national Australian Passive Seismic Server (AusPass).
This waveform data offers unprecedented detail and resolution, surpassing similar surveys conducted across Australia.
Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael emphasised the project’s significance: “As one of the world’s largest and highest resolution passive seismic surveys, the WA Array will digitally transform and supercharge the State’s resources sector.”
The freely available geoscientific data is expected to:
- Help exploration companies target high-prospective areas
- Evaluate competing land uses
- Mitigate seismic hazards
- Maximise opportunities in the transition to net-zero emissions
The Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) will present the first detailed previews of processed results and models from Phase 1 at its Open Day in Perth on November 15, 2024.
This event will provide valuable insights into the project’s findings and potential applications.
The WA Array project is a major logistical undertaking, with about 52 per cent of the stations requiring helicopter transport for access.
Each station undergoes a rigorous process of deployment, servicing, retrieval, and rehabilitation.
The data collected undergoes thorough quality assessment and review by seismologists before being made publicly available.
Western Australia, known for its diverse and successful resource sector, faces challenges in discovering new mineral resources, particularly in areas concealed by sediments and weathered rock.
The WA Array project aims to address this issue by providing deep imaging of the state’s geology, helping to identify prospective areas under cover.
As Western Australia competes globally for investment in its resources sector, the WA Array project demonstrates the state government’s commitment to maintaining a competitive edge through world-leading data initiatives.
This groundbreaking project is set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of Western Australia’s resource exploration and management strategies.
