Geoscience Australia's support in the search for Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370

In May 2014, Geoscience Australia was called on to provide specialist knowledge and capability in support of the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. As the Australian Government's national geoscience agency,... [ view full abstract ]

In May 2014, Geoscience Australia was called on to provide specialist knowledge and capability in support of the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. As the Australian Government's national geoscience agency, Geoscience Australia provided support and marine scientific advice to lead search agencies, the Joint Agency Coordination Centre and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau during 2014-15.

From analysis of the last satellite communications with MH370, the lead search agencies defined a broad search area of 1 million km² of seabed in water depths of approximately 600 - 6,500 m in the remote south-eastern Indian Ocean, including areas of the Wharton Basin and the Australian-Antarctic Basin. Prior to the search, bathymetric data resolution in the search area was 1,500 m allowing only large geographic features such as Broken Ridge to be resolved. It was decided that more accurate bathymetric data was required to safely undertake near-seabed ROV/AUV searches to identify plane debris. Vessel based bathymetric data acquisition commenced in June 2014 and continued until December 2014, with up to 5 vessels acquiring over 200,000 km² of data at resolutions varying from 40 to 110 m. Acoustic data, including multibeam backscatter, was processed by Geoscience Australia and seabed hardness and elevation information was reviewed to identify potential targets and areas of interest for the underwater search. The water depths, remote location and complex geology of the search area presented a range of scientific and technical challenges for mapping and target identification.

While the search for MH370 continues, and the primary use of the data is to find evidence of the missing plane, the search has also resulted in the successful acquisition of a unique deep ocean scientific dataset which will be made available to the public and research community in due course. It is expected that this new information will contribute to better understanding of the formation of the Australian continent and regional environmental systems in the Indian Ocean.