The radiometric, or gamma-ray spectrometric method, measures the natural variations in the gamma-rays detected near the Earth's surface as the result of the natural radioactive decay of potassium (K), uranium (U) and thorium (Th). The data collected are processed via standard methods to ensure the response recorded is that due only to the rocks in the ground. The results produce datasets that can be interpreted to reveal the geological structure of the sub-surface. The processed data is checked for quality by GA geophysicists to ensure that the final data released by GA are fit-for-purpose.
The Geological Survey of South Australia commissioned the Gawler Craton Airborne Survey (GCAS) as part of the PACE Copper initiative. The airborne geophysical survey was flown over parts of the Gawler Craton in South Australia. The program was designed to capture new baseline geoscientific data to provide further information on the geological context and setting of the area for mineral systems (http://energymining.sa.gov.au/minerals/geoscience/pace_copper/gawler_craton_airborne_survey).
nThis radiometric potassium image has a cell size of 0.0004 degrees (approximately 41m) and shows potassium element concentration of the Gawler Craton Airborne Survey Magnetic Radiometric and DEM Merge, SA, 2017-2019 in units of percent (or %). The data used to produce this image was acquired in 2019 by the SA Government, and consisted of 1660000 line-kilometres of data at 200m line spacing and 60m terrain clearance. To constrain long wavelengths in the grid, an independent data set, the Australia-wide Airborne Geophysical Survey (AWAGS) airborne magnetic data, was used to control the base levels of the survey grid.
