331

Site number:

331

Authors:

IBC, GGC

Date recorded:

1972/11/27

Reason Sampled:

Soil weathering examination

Description:

4.5km N of Taylor Glacier and 250m from the edge of the Rhone Glacier; near the centre of a slightly subdued lateral moraine surface

Altitude:

1345 m

Aspect:

N

Slope:

4 °

Climate

Soil climate zone:

Inland Mountain

Estimated mean annual temperature:

-25 °C

Frozen ground depth:

40 cm

Frozen type:

Hard ice-cemented

Frozen comment:

40cm

Geology

Geological setting:

The Rhone Glacier has a series of till deposits that increase in age in a SW direction away from the present glacier position; not far from the glacier edge, the till passes into till-free granite bedrock with well developed cavernous weathering; the weathering sequence suggests that there may have been little fluctuation of the Rhone Glacier from its present position; this till is distinctly weathered

Patterned ground:

Weakly developed

Surface weathering or surface features:

Few upstanding boulders; most subrounded with exfoliation and granular disintegration present; some weakly developed ventiforms; occasional salt efflorescences; some distinct but generally weak staining; a moderately developed pavement

Soil

Soil parent material:

Sandy gravel till from mixed granite, dolerite and sandstone

Previous disturbance:

Nil

Soil weathering stage:

6 3 (Campbell & Claridge 1975)

Soil moisture status:

A dry site some snow lying in patterned ground cracks; recent snow fall has disappeared; no soil moistening observed

Biological activity:

Nil observed