A broad flattish hollow in a stepped surface approximately 1.3km N of the Taylor Glacier; a site which probably periodically accumulates some thaw waters; the sample site is from near the centre of the hollow
Altitude:
1050 m
Aspect:
Nil
Slope:
0 °
Location Data
Observer
IBC
GGC
GPS
No
Latitude Longitude DMS
77° 43' S 162° 06' E
77° 43' S 162° 06' E
Latitude Longitude DD
-77.717 162.100
-77.717 162.100
Latitude longitude precision DD
0.008 0.008
0.008 0.008
Locality
Taylor Dry Valley, McMurdo Dry Valley region, Rhone Glacier
Survey
USGS 1:50,000 Antarctic Topo. Ser. Lake Bonney Quadrangle
Climate
Soil climate zone:
Inland Mountain
Estimated mean annual temperature:
-25
°C
Frozen ground depth:
10 cm
Frozen type:
Hard ice-cemented
Frozen comment:
10cm
Geology
Geological setting:
Several prominent bench surfaces above Taylor Glacier may mark former glacial erosion surfaces; weathering increases with increasing elevation; the landscape is old but there are a few periodic stream flows from snow patch thaws that have resulted in some more recent sediment movement; sediment and water that accumulates in depressions results in formation of salty hollows
Patterned ground:
Nil
Surface weathering or surface features:
A thin powdery salt crust; the surface is a fine sandy granular and pebble pavement
No water present but the subsurface soil is moist possibly due to higher salinity and a depressed freezing point
Biological activity:
Nil observed
Profile Description
Horizon
Depth
Description
328a
0
–
1
cm
light yellowish brown to pale brown (2.5Y 6/4 - 10YR 6/3) sandy pebbly gravel; loose to weakly cohesive; extensive thin surface powdery salt precipitation; rock particles subrounded and unstained; sharp boundary,
328b
1
–
3
cm
light olive brown to olive (2.5Y 6/4 - 5Y 6/3) sand; moist; rock particles angular and unstained; sharp boundary,
328c
3
–
10
cm
light olive brown to olive (2.5Y 6/4 - 5Y 6/3) granular sand; firmly cohesive; frosted