Synthesis: what do we know about Glomar Shoal and Rankin Bank?

Submerged reefs and shoals are important features of the North West Marine Region of Australia due to their diverse and often unique benthic (e.g., corals, sponges) and fish biodiversity. Glomar Shoal and Rankin Bank are the only large, complex, bathymetrical features on the outer western shelf of the West Pilbara and are located approximately 150km north of Dampier. Together, these two remote shallow water areas represent regionally unique habitats. Woodside Energy Ltd (Woodside) has identified these shoals as sensitive receptors for which baseline data is required; however both shoals were poorly understood in terms of their physical and biological characteristics. Consequently, the Australian Institute of Marine Science was contracted by Woodside to survey these areas in 2013.

The interactive map content below was created in 2015 to make it easy for a range of interested parties to find out what is now known about Glomar Shoal and Rankin Bank.

How to use the map

	Click on this icon at the top left of the map to see a full screen version.
	Click on this icon also at the top left of the map to zoom in closer to (+) or further from (-) the map.

Colours on the map show the water depth (shades of blue) and land elevation (other colours) near Glomar Shoal and Rankin Bank. Click on the map to see the depth or elevation in any given location.

Click on a shoal icon to see interactive content about either Glomar Shoal or Rankin Bank. Make sure the box at the top of the window that pops up says 'Click on Glomar Shoal or Rankin Bank'. If it doesn't, click on it to change it on the pull-down list.

In the window that pops up, click on each tab to learn more.

Use the scroll bar to move down the page so you don't miss anything.

Where a picture is shown, click on it to see a larger one in a new window. Where a video is shown, click on the arrow to watch it.

The 'Learn more' tab provides links to relevant reports.