Learnings from the Gawler Craton airborne survey quality control

Summary The Geological Survey of South Australia (GSSA) designed the Gawler Craton Airborne Survey (GCAS) to provide high resolution magnetic, gamma-ray and elevation data covering the northern portion of the Gawler Craton. In total, 1.66 million line km were planned over an area of 295,000 km2, covering approximately 30% of the state of South Australia. The survey design of 200 m spaced lines at a ground clearance of 60 m can be compared with the design of existing regional surveys which generally employed 400 m line spacing and a ground clearance of 80 m. The new survey design results in ~2 x the data coverage and ~25% closer to the ground when compared to previous standards for regional surveys in South Australia. Due to the enormous scale of the survey, the data were acquired using four contractors who employed ten systems to fly the sixteen blocks. To standardise the data from the multitude of systems, Geoscience Australia (GA) employed a comprehensive set of technical specifications. As part of these specifications the contractors were required to fly each of the ten systems over a series of test lines termed the “Whyalla Test Lines” (Whyalla). The final GCAS data provide truly impressive high resolution regional scale products. These will allow more detailed geological interpretation of the prospective Gawler Craton. A laser altimeter was added to the list of required survey equipment. Deficiencies in the technical specifications relating to laser altimeters were identified. Standards and procedures specific to laser characteristics will need to be considered on future surveys. Analyses show that weaknesses in current standards and procedures are still evident. The weaknesses identified allow room for improvements to be made for future surveys. Gamma-ray processing results raised the most serious concerns, with repeatability not achieved. Changes to standard procedures may need to be considered.