Industrial Gamma Radiation Signals: An Untapped Resource to Reconstruct Neogene Paleoclimate Off Northwest Australia

Abstract Paleoceanographic reconstructions require both high‐resolution temporal records and high‐density spatial coverage. Scientific drilling provides detailed paleoclimate time‐series, but its spatial distribution limits our ability to capture regional climate dynamics. Industrial drilling data, particularly natural gamma radiation (NGR) records, offer an opportunity to bridge this spatio‐temporal gap. In this study, we analyze wireline downhole‐logging NGR measurements from the South Galapagos‐1 industrial well in the Browse Basin, offshore Northwest Australia. The upper portion of this industry site corresponds to the Neogene system, tracks Milanković‐driven climate variability, and provides a continuous archive of regional paleoclimate evolution since 21.5 Ma. Using astronomical tuning, we establish a robust age‐depth model that aligns the South Galapagos‐1 NGR record with the global δ 18 O benthic isotope climate‐stratigraphic backbone. Our results reveal a shift in Northwest Australia's climate response to global‐climate forcing around ∼12.7 Ma, coinciding with the expansion of the Antarctic ice sheet. Before this transition, NGR peaks correspond to arid phases of Australian desert expansion during globally‐colder intervals. After 12.7 Ma, however, NGR peaks instead reflect wetter conditions, indicating intensified Australian monsoon activity during globally‐warmer periods. This shift is attributed to astronomically‐driven biome changes that influenced the transport of detrital material from land to sea, further shaped by tectonic reconfigurations of the Indonesian Throughflow and variations in Indo‐Pacific Walker circulation patterns. Therewith, our study highlights the potential of industrial NGR data as a paleoclimate proxy, helping to fill both geographic and stratigraphic gaps left by scientific drilling.