281

Site number:

281

Authors:

IBC, GGC

Date recorded:

1970/01/07

Reason Sampled:

Soil weathering examination

Description:

Approximately 4 km north of Mt Nelson on a high bench surface on the south side of the Koerwitz Glacier; an old moraine surface near the Mt Nelson ice tongue

Altitude:

1150 m

Aspect:

NE

Slope:

3 °

Climate

Soil climate zone:

Coastal Mountain

Estimated mean annual temperature:

-25 °C

Frozen ground depth:

33 cm

Frozen type:

Ice-cemented

Frozen comment:

33cm

Geology

Geological setting:

Moraines on elevated surfaces to the south of Koerwitz Glacier show distinct age differences between the lower and higher altitude surfaces; the younger moraines clearly show signs of a re-advance of ice from the north; granites predominates but some dolerite, schist and dark metavolcanic rocks are present; this surface appears a little older than the site for 280

Patterned ground:

Nil

Surface weathering or surface features:

Some surface deflation; coarse grained granitic rocks well crumbled; dark fine grained rocks with distinct polish; some ventiforms

Soil

Soil parent material:

Granitic bouldery sandy gravel

Previous disturbance:

Nil

Soil weathering stage:

6 3/4 (Campbell & Claridge 1975)

Soil moisture status:

Some water observed in rock hollows; thaw water on some rock surfaces; soils moist in patches adjacent to some boulders; snow drift patches thawing at edges

Biological activity:

Nil observed