Australia Geoscience and Geography by GeoscienceAustralia

About this course

Strengthen your geography and Earth science understanding by exploring how Australia is studied, mapped and managed through modern geoscience. This free online course connects physical geography with real national-scale research, showing how scientists turn measurements from land, sea and subsurface into usable knowledge for decision-making. You’ll build confidence interpreting geospatial evidence and develop a clearer picture of how Australia’s landscapes, resources and environments are investigated.

Begin with an accessible look at passive seismic surveys and why listening to natural vibrations can reveal what lies beneath the surface. From there, follow how groundwater information is organised across jurisdictions, and why consistent datasets matter for water planning, climate resilience and community needs. The course then expands offshore to the oceans, highlighting the value of high-resolution seabed mapping and what new detail can change in our understanding of marine environments.

You’ll also encounter Australia’s geological history through time, linking deeper Earth processes to what we observe on the surface today. A practical lens is applied to current challenges such as emissions reduction, using CO2 storage as a case study in how geology can support climate solutions and future energy pathways. Finally, you’ll see how national mapping and exploration programs bring together multiple data sources to improve knowledge of minerals and hidden geology.

Throughout, short exercises help you check comprehension and refine key ideas without overwhelming jargon. Whether you are studying school geography, preparing for further science learning, or simply curious about how Australia is explored and mapped, you’ll finish with a stronger foundation and a more informed way to read maps, datasets and geoscience stories in the news.