355

Site number:

355

Authors:

IBC, GGC

Date recorded:

1972/12/08

Reason Sampled:

Soil weathering examination

Description:

On the floor of Wright Valley, in the South Fork at Don Juan Pond; the sample site is near the centre of the flat floor where the pond is presently dry; adjacent to a large moraine boulder that has created an erosional wind scoop

Altitude:

175 m

Aspect:

Nil

Slope:

0 °

Climate

Soil climate zone:

Central Mountain

Estimated mean annual temperature:

-23 °C

Frozen ground depth:

0 cm

Frozen type:

Frozen comment:

Geology

Geological setting:

Don Juan Pond is a saline hollow which varies in wetness, but at the time of sampling was wet only in a small area;

Patterned ground:

Nil

Surface weathering or surface features:

A fine gravel pavement with surface salt efflorescences

Soil

Soil parent material:

Fine textured sediment

Previous disturbance:

Nil at site

Soil weathering stage:

3 (Campbell & Claridge 1975)

Soil moisture status:

Moist soil but no liquid water in adjacent hollow

Biological activity:

Nil observed