309

Site number:

309

Authors:

IBC, GGC

Date recorded:

1972/11/18

Reason Sampled:

Soil weathering examination

Description:

Approximately 2.8km NW from the NE end of Lake Bonney, and 1km SE of Matterhorn; on a till covered uneven bench surface; a small gravelly patch in a bouldery surface; on the west side of a low mound 20m from the crest

Altitude:

1050 m

Aspect:

E

Slope:

5 °

Climate

Soil climate zone:

Central Mountain

Estimated mean annual temperature:

-24 °C

Frozen ground depth:

60 > cm

Frozen type:

Dry frozen

Frozen comment:

>60cm

Geology

Geological setting:

Granite outcrops in nearby exposures along with dolerite intrusives; although the surface is close to the La Croix and Matterhorn Glaciers, weathering features indicate an advanced age for the surface; the till is probably from the Matterhorn Glacier

Patterned ground:

Nil

Surface weathering or surface features:

Some large upstanding granite boulders (2-3m length) with weak cavernous weathering and sculptured forms; surface boulders dominantly subrounded to rounded, some granites crumbling but others with oxidised and case hardened surfaces; a well developed pebble/cobble pavement between boulders with weak ventiforms and some pitting

Soil

Soil parent material:

Granitic bouldery sandy till with some dolerite

Previous disturbance:

Nil

Soil weathering stage:

6 3 (Campbell & Claridge 1975)

Soil moisture status:

A dry site with no adjunct snow patches or evidence of snow thaw

Biological activity:

Nil observed