332

Site number:

332

Authors:

IBC, GGC

Date recorded:

1972/11/27

Reason Sampled:

Soil weathering examination

Description:

4.5km N of Taylor Glacier and 550m from the edge of the Rhone Glacier; on the oldest and slightly uneven but gently sloping moraine surface derived from a former extension of the Rhone Glacier

Altitude:

1325 m

Aspect:

S

Slope:

6 °

Climate

Soil climate zone:

Inland Mountain

Estimated mean annual temperature:

-25 °C

Frozen ground depth:

60 cm

Frozen type:

Hard ice-cemented

Frozen comment:

60cm

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 furthermost till is the most weathered of the sequence

Patterned ground:

Old non-active patterned ground with fine gravel accumulations in patterned ground cracks; a distinct wedge of granular gravel in the profile probably indicates former patterned ground activity

Surface weathering or surface features:

Few small boulders with some well developed cavernous weathering; moderately developed ventiforms; some rocks with distinct staining on flat surfaces; coarse grained rocks with well developed granular disintegration; a subdued surface with a moderately developed predominantly pebble pavement

Soil

Soil parent material:

Sandy gravel till from mixed granite, dolerite and sandstone

Previous disturbance:

Nil

Soil weathering stage:

6 3/4 (Campbell & Claridge 1975)

Soil moisture status:

Soil dry; some small snow patches; some small snow melt patches on rock surfaces; no soil moistening observed

Biological activity:

Nil observed