253

Site number:

253

Authors:

IBC, GGC

Date recorded:

1969/12/18

Reason Sampled:

Soil weathering examination

Description:

On the narrow bouldery ridge between Mt Andrews and Mt Danforth near a zone of altered rock by a quartz outcrop

Altitude:

1700 m

Aspect:

SW

Slope:

12 °

Climate

Soil climate zone:

Central Mountain

Estimated mean annual temperature:

-40 °C

Frozen ground depth:

0 cm

Frozen type:

Frozen comment:

Geology

Geological setting:

A complex of rock types is present on the ridge surface; dark volcanics, granites and quartz outcrops

Patterned ground:

Nil

Surface weathering or surface features:

Dark staining on some clasts with crystalline salt accumulations; some yellow vesicular soil and salt accumulations

Soil

Soil parent material:

Mixed igneous and intrusives disaggregated by surface weathering

Previous disturbance:

Nil

Soil weathering stage:

4 (Campbell & Claridge 1975)

Soil moisture status:

Many snow patches on the ridge surface and probably some occasional thaw from snow on dark coloured rocks

Biological activity:

Nil observed