Seismicity, Minerals, and Craton margins: The Lake Eyre Basin Seismic Deployment

The deployment of new AuScope passive seismic experiments in 2019 are transforming seismic data coverage across South Australia and Lake Eyre Basin, coinciding with additional geophysical surveys in the region such as AusLAMP. The array of 40 seismometers will eradicate a major gap (or blind spot) in the national seismic network. A range of seismic imaging techniques will be applied allowing for the nature of a suspected continental weak zone between the Gawler Craton and Lake Eyre Basin to be determined. Not only is this weak continental boundary associated with a recent surge of seismic activity, but is also home to some of the most valuable mineral resources in Australia (e.g. Olympic Dam, the world’s largest uranium deposit, and the 4th largest copper deposit).