On the south side of Taylor Valley, approximately 3km east of Lake Bonney opposite La Croix Glacier on a knoll on undulating terrain
Altitude:
260 m
Aspect:
Nil
Slope:
0 °
Location Data
Observer
IBC
GGC
GPS
No
Latitude Longitude DMS
77° 42' S 162° 38' E
77° 42' S 162° 38' E
Latitude Longitude DD
-77.700 162.633
-77.700 162.633
Latitude longitude precision DD
0.008 0.008
0.008 0.008
Locality
Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Dry Valley region near Lake Bonney
Survey
USGS 1:50,000 Antarctic Topo. Ser. Lake Bonney Quadrangle
Climate
Soil climate zone:
Central Mountain
Estimated mean annual temperature:
-22
°C
Frozen ground depth:
0 cm
Frozen type:
Frozen comment:
Geology
Geological setting:
Glacial deposits in the area are formed from a complex interaction of advances from the Taylor Glacier with nearby alpine glaciers; granitic rocks are common nearby intruded by dolerite but there are also numerous small volcanic cones which post-date glacial episodes
Patterned ground:
Nil
Surface weathering or surface features:
Salt efflorescences from beneath surface stones; the soil is soft
Soil
Soil parent material:
Sandy to bouldery gravel till
Previous disturbance:
Nil
Soil weathering stage:
Soil moisture status:
Soils are dry with little evidence of liquid water
Biological activity:
Nil observed
Profile Description
Horizon
Depth
Description
303a
0 – 2 cm
light yellowish brown sandy to silty gravel; loose; pulverulent; abundant salty patches