Federal Government scientists have started surveying the Cooper Basin in south-west Queensland in a search for geothermal hot rocks.

The aim is to locate radioactive sedimentary layers up to three kilometres below the surface that can be used to generate geothermal energy.Potential sites will undergo drilling to assess the level of heat available.

Geoscience Australia's Dr Ian Lambert says the data provided will lower the risks to future exploration."We're trying to give more definitive information on where companies should be looking," he said."The previous exploration has been based on general assumptions."We're hoping that the future exploration after this survey will be based more on factual information on what is present under the sub-surface."