Radiometric map of Australia
Geoscience Australia, in collaboration with the States and the Northern Territory Geological Surveys, recently released an Australia-wide map at 1:15M scale showing the surface distribution of the natural radioactive elements potassium (K), uranium (U) and thorium (Th).
Low concentrations of these elements were measured with a specially equipped survey aircraft. Over 450 individual surveys collected over the past 40 years were combined into a single seamless compilation.
The data are shown as a composite colour ternary image of potassium (red), thorium (green) and uranium (blue) radioelements. The colour mixes behave as 'additive' colours. Combined high relative concentrations of all three elements show as white, and low concentrations show as black. An area with variable concentrations of K, Th and U will have differing proportions of colours. For example, yellow (red and green) represents high concentrations of K and Th respectively; magenta (red and blue) represents high concentrations of K and U; and cyan (blue and green) represents high concentrations of U and Th.
Hard copies of this map can be ordered by contacting:
Sales Centre, Geoscience Australia
GPO Box 378
Canberra, ACT 2601
Phone (02) 6249 9966
Facsimile (02) 6249 9960
Email: sales@ga.gov.au