335

Site number:

335

Authors:

IBC, GGC

Date recorded:

1972/11/29

Reason Sampled:

Rock weathering examination

Description:

On the S side of Upper Wright Valley in the Asgard Range; a moraine covered surface north of the Inland Forts; a bouldery surface with a dominantly dolerite cover; a rock sample from near the saddle between Wright and Taylor Valley

Altitude:

1700 m

Aspect:

Nil

Slope:

0 °

Climate

Soil climate zone:

Inland Mountain

Estimated mean annual temperature:

-25 °C

Frozen ground depth:

0 cm

Frozen type:

Frozen comment:

Geology

Geological setting:

The local rocks are dominantly Beacon Sandstone with the harder Ferrar Dolerite sill remnants capping the ridges; The landscape in this area is relict and dolerite clasts are in many places strongly stained

Patterned ground:

Nil

Surface weathering or surface features:

Strongly stained dolerite

Soil

Soil parent material:

Dolerite rock

Previous disturbance:

Nil

Soil weathering stage:

6

Soil moisture status:

Biological activity:

Nil observed but endolithic lichens common in sandstone