Data dictionary

for the

1:500 000 State interpreted bedrock geology of

Western Australia, 2016
Data dictionary
In Geographic Information Systems (GIS), data dictionaries are used as a means to record the
names of the attributes (items) in each feature class, together with a description of the attribute
values. Tables 1 and 2 list the GIS themes or feature classes and lookup tables used in this
digital data package, for which this data dictionary has been provided.

Table 3 provides detailed information about the attributes of each feature class included in this
digital data package. Each data dictionary table contains the following information: Feature
class, File name, Feature category, Spatial type, Description, and details particular to the
feature class described. These details are listed under headings: Item name, Key, Optional,
Type, Width, and Description. Tabulated information in italics describes the contents of
Microsoft Access database lookup tables (LUT).

This digital data package may contain an Explanatory Notes database, which is designed to be
used with GeoMap.WA. Data dictionary information for this database is not available.

For Key, a code is used to indicate whether the item or field is a key used to link information:
P = Primary key
F = Foreign key
Null = Not a key

For Optional, a code is used to indicate whether the items or fields may or may not be
provided in a data package:
True = Optional
False = Not optional

For item Type, a code is used to describe the field type:

C = Currency values
D = Date field, may include time
F = Decimal number as an internal floating-point number, single or double precision
H = Hyperlink field for storing URL path
I = Integer field, having whole numbers only, short or long format
M = Memo field
T = Text/character field
Y = One bit field that contains only one of two values (e.g. Yes/No, True/False, On/Off)

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Table 1: The following is a listing of the feature classes in this digital package.

Feature class: Description

Geology
1:500k State Cenozoic 1:500 000 State Cenozoic geology polygons, 2016
geology polygons, 2016
1:500k State interpreted 1:500 000 State interpreted bedrock geology polygons, 2016
bedrock geology polygons,
2016
1:500k State interpreted 1:500 000 State interpreted bedrock geology structural lines, 2016
bedrock structural lines,
2016

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Table 2: The following is a listing of databases used in this digital data package.
Note: Databases are provided in Microsoft Access 2003 format. Database tables are also
provided as CSV files.

Database name: Description

explanatory_notes.mdb Explanatory Notes database
geol_lut.mdb Geology and interpreted geology lookup tables database

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Table 3: The following is a detailed listing of the feature classes and associated lookup tables.

Feature class: 1:500k State Cenozoic geology polygons, 2016

File name: 500k_cenozoicp16
Feature category: Geology
Spatial type: Polygon
Description: 1:500 000 State Cenozoic geology polygons, 2016
Item name Key Optional Type Width Description
CODE F False T 30 Geological code
UNITNAME False T 100 Geological unit name
DESCRIPTN False T 254 Long description of the geological code
SYMBOL False T 254 Combination of CODE, UNITNAME, and
DESCRIPTN for plot purposes
Lookup table: 500k_cenozoicp16_lut
Description: GEOL_LUT 1:500 000 State Cenozoic geology polygons
lookup table: Microsoft Access table
Field name Key Optional Type Width Description
SORT False I Sort order for data legend
LITHSTRTNO False I Geological code identifier linking to Explanatory Notes
database
CODE P False T 30 Geological code
UNITNAME False T 100 Geological unit name
GSWASTATUS False T 30 Stratigraphic status of geological unit in Explanatory
Notes database
RANK False T 15 Stratigraphic rank of geological unit
DESCRIPTN False T 254 Long description of the geological code
PARENTCODE False T 50 Geological code of the parent unit for the unit displayed
in the CODE field
PARENTNAME False T 100 Name of the parent geological unit for the unit displayed
in the CODE field
ROCKTYPE1 False T 80 Rock type (e.g. igneous mafic volcanic)
LITHNAME1 False T 255 Lithological name (e.g. basalt)
QUALIFIER1 False T 100 First feature distinguishing the lithology (e.g. pillowed
basalt)
QUALIFIER2 False T 100 Second feature distinguishing the lithology (e.g.
carbonate-altered pillowed basalt)
MIXEDROCK False T 50 Mixed rock types or xenolith-bearing unit
ROCKTYPE2 False T 80 Second rock type in a mixed or xenolith-bearing unit
LITHNAME2 False T 255 Second lithology in a mixed or xenolith-bearing unit
MIXEDQUAL1 False T 100 First feature distinguishing the second lithology in a
mixed or xenolith-bearing unit
MIXEDQUAL2 False T 100 Second feature distinguishing the second lithology in a
mixed or xenolith-bearing unit
WASTRAUNIT False T 100 State-scale stratigraphic unit
SUPERSUITE False T 100 Assemblage of intrusive rocks and suites formed during
the same magmatic event
SUITE False T 100 Igneous rock bodies formed during the same magmatic
event
SUPERGROUP False T 100 An assemblage of related groups, or of formations and
groups, having significant lithological features in
common
GROUP_ False T 100 Lithostratigraphic unit containing two or more
formations, all of which share a unifying characteristic
SUBGROUP False T 100 Subdivision of a group containing two or more formations
FORMATION False T 100 A distinct mappable geological unit showing unifying
geological characteristics

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 MEMBER False T 100 A distinct lithostratigraphic subdivision of a formation
BED False T 100 A single bed or small stratigraphic interval worthy of
separate recognition
STATE False T 100 Western Australia: State-level tectonic unit
WATECTUNIT False T 100 State-scale tectonic unit
SSUITE_TEC False T 100 Supersuite tectonic; all igneous rocks related to a specific
tectonic event
SUITE_TEC False T 100 Suite tectonic; all igneous rocks related to a specific
parental magmatic composition generated at a specific
time
CRATON False T 100 Geologically stable part of the Earth’s crust, mostly older
than 2.4 Ga
SUPERTERRA False T 100 Superterrane; a group of related terranes
CRATON_TER False T 100 Craton terrane; a fault-bounded body of rock within a
craton, with a distinct geological history
DOMAIN_ False T 100 A fault-bounded body of rock within a CRATON_TER
GREENSTONE False T 100 Greenstone belt or granitic complex
SUPERBASIN False T 100 A group of related basins of a similar age
BASIN False T 100 Accumulation of sedimentary rocks in a regional crustal
depression
SUBBASIN False T 100 Structural feature within a BASIN
SUBBASIN_E False T 100 Sub-basin element; structural feature within a SUBBASIN
OROGEN False T 100 Tectonic belt characterized by regional deformation,
metamorphism, magmatism, and related sedimentation
PROVINCE False T 100 Tectonic unit with a complex deformation, metamorphic,
and magmatic history
PROV_TZONE False T 100 Tectonic subdivision of PROVINCE into terranes or zones
TECT_SUBDI False T 100 Tectonic subdivision of PROV_TZONE
OROG_FOR False T 100 Orogenic foreland; an area of craton and/or basin
reworked by orogenic events
OROG_FORSU False T 100 Orogenic foreland sub-unit; structural feature within an
OROG_FOR
IN_OUTLIER False T 100 Inlier outlier; older tectonic unit surrounded by younger
unit; younger tectonic unit surrounded by older unit
EVENTS False M Deformation and magmatic events affecting the tectonic
units to which the geological unit belongs
AGEFROM False T 50 Maximum possible age of unit as described by geological
timescale
AGETO False T 50 Minimum possible age of unit as described by geological
timescale
MAX_AGE_MA False F Maximum possible age of unit in millions of years
MAXUNCERTY False F Uncertainty of maximum age of lithostratigraphic unit in
plus or minus millions of years
MIN_AGE_MA False F Minimum possible age of unit in millions of years
MINUNCERTY False F Uncertainty of minimum age of lithostratigraphic unit in
plus or minus millions of years
MAX_AGE_DA False T 100 Type of constraint on maximum age
MIN_AGE_DA False T 100 Type of constraint on minimum age

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 Feature class: 1:500k State interpreted bedrock geology polygons,
2016
File name: 500k_interpgeop16
Feature category: Geology
Spatial type: Polygon
Description: 1:500 000 State interpreted bedrock geology polygons,
2016
Item name Key Optional Type Width Description
CODE F False T 30 Geological code
UNITNAME False T 100 Geological unit name
DESCRIPTN False T 254 Long description of the geological code
SYMBOL False T 254 Combination of CODE, UNITNAME, and
DESCRIPTN for plot purposes
Lookup table: 500k_interpgeop16_lut
Description: GEOL_LUT 1:500 000 State interpreted bedrock geology
polygons lookup table: Microsoft Access table
Field name Key Optional Type Width Description
SORT False I Sort order for data legend
LITHSTRTNO False I Geological code identifier linking to Explanatory Notes
database
CODE P False T 30 Geological code
UNITNAME False T 100 Geological unit name
GSWASTATUS False T 30 Stratigraphic status of geological unit in Explanatory
Notes database
RANK False T 15 Stratigraphic rank of geological unit
DESCRIPTN False T 254 Long description of the geological code
PARENTCODE False T 50 Geological code of the parent unit for the unit displayed
in the CODE field
PARENTNAME False T 100 Name of the parent geological unit for the unit displayed
in the CODE field
ROCKTYPE1 False T 80 Rock type (e.g. igneous mafic volcanic)
LITHNAME1 False T 255 Lithological name (e.g. basalt)
QUALIFIER1 False T 100 First feature distinguishing the lithology (e.g. pillowed
basalt)
QUALIFIER2 False T 100 Second feature distinguishing the lithology (e.g.
carbonate-altered pillowed basalt)
MIXEDROCK False T 50 Mixed rock types or xenolith-bearing unit
ROCKTYPE2 False T 80 Second rock type in a mixed or xenolith-bearing unit
LITHNAME2 False T 255 Second lithology in a mixed or xenolith-bearing unit
MIXEDQUAL1 False T 100 First feature distinguishing the second lithology in a
mixed or xenolith-bearing unit
MIXEDQUAL2 False T 100 Second feature distinguishing the second lithology in a
mixed or xenolith-bearing unit
WASTRAUNIT False T 100 State-scale stratigraphic unit
SUPERSUITE False T 100 Assemblage of intrusive rocks and suites formed during
the same magmatic event
SUITE False T 100 Igneous rock bodies formed during the same magmatic
event
SUPERGROUP False T 100 An assemblage of related groups, or of formations and
groups, having significant lithological features in
common
GROUP_ False T 100 Lithostratigraphic unit containing two or more
formations, all of which share a unifying characteristic
SUBGROUP False T 100 Subdivision of a group containing two or more formations
FORMATION False T 100 A distinct mappable geological unit showing unifying
geological characteristics
MEMBER False T 100 A distinct lithostratigraphic subdivision of a formation

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 BED False T 100 A single bed or small stratigraphic interval worthy of
separate recognition
STATE False T 100 Western Australia: State-level tectonic unit
WATECTUNIT False T 100 State-scale tectonic unit
SSUITE_TEC False T 100 Supersuite tectonic; all igneous rocks related to a specific
tectonic event
SUITE_TEC False T 100 Suite tectonic; all igneous rocks related to a specific
parental magmatic composition generated at a specific
time
CRATON False T 100 Geologically stable part of the Earth’s crust, mostly older
than 2.4 Ga
SUPERTERRA False T 100 Superterrane; a group of related terranes
CRATON_TER False T 100 Craton terrane; a fault-bounded body of rock within a
craton, with a distinct geological history
DOMAIN_ False T 100 A fault-bounded body of rock within a CRATON_TER
GREENSTONE False T 100 Greenstone belt or granitic complex
SUPERBASIN False T 100 A group of related basins of a similar age
BASIN False T 100 Accumulation of sedimentary rocks in a regional crustal
depression
SUBBASIN False T 100 Structural feature within a BASIN
SUBBASIN_E False T 100 Sub-basin element; structural feature within a SUBBASIN
OROGEN False T 100 Tectonic belt characterized by regional deformation,
metamorphism, magmatism, and related sedimentation
PROVINCE False T 100 Tectonic unit with a complex deformation, metamorphic,
and magmatic history
PROV_TZONE False T 100 Tectonic subdivision of PROVINCE into terranes or zones
TECT_SUBDI False T 100 Tectonic subdivision of PROV_TZONE
OROG_FOR False T 100 Orogenic foreland; an area of craton and/or basin
reworked by orogenic events
OROG_FORSU False T 100 Orogenic foreland sub-unit; structural feature within an
OROG_FOR
IN_OUTLIER False T 100 Inlier outlier; older tectonic unit surrounded by younger
unit; younger tectonic unit surrounded by older unit
EVENTS False M Deformation and magmatic events affecting the tectonic
units to which the geological unit belongs
AGEFROM False T 50 Maximum possible age of unit as described by geological
timescale
AGETO False T 50 Minimum possible age of unit as described by geological
timescale
MAX_AGE_MA False F Maximum possible age of unit in millions of years
MAXUNCERTY False F Uncertainty of maximum age of lithostratigraphic unit in
plus or minus millions of years
MIN_AGE_MA False F Minimum possible age of unit in millions of years
MINUNCERTY False F Uncertainty of minimum age of lithostratigraphic unit in
plus or minus millions of years
MAX_AGE_DA False T 100 Type of constraint on maximum age
MIN_AGE_DA False T 100 Type of constraint on minimum age

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 Feature class: 1:500k State interpreted bedrock structural lines,
2016
File name: 500k_interpstrucl16
Feature category: Geology
Spatial type: Arc
Description: 1:500 000 State interpreted bedrock geology structural
lines, 2016
Item name Key Optional Type Width Description
FEATURE False T 150 Describes the feature
TYPE False T 150 Type of feature
NAME False T 50 Name of feature
CODE True T 30 Geological code
DIP True I Dip (or declination) angle
DIP_EST True T 30 Estimate of dip
DIP_DIR True T 35 Direction of dip
PLUNGE True I Angle of plunge
PLUNGE_EST True T 30 Estimate of plunge
PLUNGE_DIR True T 35 Direction of plunge
MAX_AGE_EV True T 150 Maximum age of event
MIN_AGE_EV True T 150 Minimum age of event
SYMBOL False T 254 Combination of FEATURE and TYPE for plot
purposes

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