283

Site number:

283

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 extensive flattish somewhat younger moraine sheet surface about 4km north of Mt Nelson

Altitude:

2050 m

Aspect:

Nil

Slope:

0 °

Climate

Soil climate zone:

Coastal Mountain

Estimated mean annual temperature:

-25 °C

Frozen ground depth:

40 cm

Frozen type:

Ice-cemented

Frozen comment:

40cm

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 less weathered than for site 281

Patterned ground:

Moderately developed broad nets

Surface weathering or surface features:

No ventiforms or cavernous weathering; weak exfoliation; boulders up to 2m; little salt beneath surface stones; staining weak

Soil

Soil parent material:

Granitic bouldery sandy gravel till

Previous disturbance:

Nil

Soil weathering stage:

6 3 (Campbell & Claridge 1975)

Soil moisture status:

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

Biological activity:

Nil observed