Approximately 5km NE of Mt Brooke and 2km W of the Cambridge Glacier; the surface is part of a complex, broad east-sloping undulating surface formed through retreat of the Cambridge Glacier; in many places the surface is devoid of cover deposits with regolith materials probably being removed by wind erosion; till occurs in patches possibly as a result of differential ice/snow retreat or local ice accumulations; the site is on an older, slightly higher elevation till deposit
Altitude:
1950 m
Aspect:
E
Slope:
3 °
Location Data
Observer
IBC
GGC
GPS
No
Latitude Longitude DMS
76° 47.1' S 160° 02' E
76° 48' S 160° 05' E
Latitude Longitude DD
-76.7850 160.033
-76.800 160.08
Latitude longitude precision DD
0.0008 0.008
0.008 0.04
Locality
Coombs Hills in the Convoy Range, Trans-antarctic Mountains, between the Odell and Cambridge Glaciers
Survey
Climate
Soil climate zone:
Central mountain
Estimated mean annual temperature:
-30
°C
Frozen ground depth:
100 > cm
Frozen type:
Dry frozen
Frozen comment:
100> cm
Geology
Geological setting:
Dolerite is extensive on nearby ridges; Beacon Group sandstones outcrop widely on the surface and in places is covered with thin residual doleritic drift and thicker till deposits; wind erosion is severe with large wind ripples formed in places
Patterned ground:
Subdued and inactive
Surface weathering or surface features:
Well developed desert pavement with ventifacts and few upstanding boulders; dolerite boulders moderately to strongly stained and polished and well pitted; salts occur beneath surface stones
Soil
Soil parent material:
Till derived from dolerite and Beacon Group sediments
Xerous, a patchy cover of snow from a recent fall but little thawing
Biological activity:
Nil observed
Profile Description
Horizon
Depth
Description
493a
-2
–
0
cm
surface pebbles and granules forming a well developed pavement; subrounded and moderately to strongly stained,
493b
0
–
7
cm
yellow (10YR 7/6) granular pebbly sand; firmly cohesive; profuse salts diffused throughout the horizon; rock particles mainly subangular, moderately to strongly stained and altered; distinct boundary,
493c
7
–
15
cm
brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) granular pebbly sand; moderately cohesive; abundant salts diffused through the horizon; rock particles subangular to rounded, moderately to strongly stained and altered; sharp boundary,
493d
15
–
30
cm
very pale brown (10YR 7/4) sandy pebble and cobble gravel; weakly cohesive; discrete salt accumulations around many clasts; rock particles subrounded to subangular, moderately stained and some strongly altered; indistinct boundary,
493e
30
–
65
cm
light brown (10YR 6/4) sandy pebble to boulder gravel; loose; diffuse salt accumulation throughout; rock particles subangular to subrounded, moderately stained and moderately altered; diffuse boundary,
493f
65
–
80
cm
olive yellow (2.5Y 6/6) sandy bouldery gravel; loose; rock particles mainly subangular and unstained; distinct boundary,
493g
80
–
85
cm
light brownish grey (2.5Y 6/2) sandy to silty bouldery gravel; loose; rock particles subangular and unstained