506

Site number:

506

Authors:

IBC, GGC

Date recorded:

1983/01/15

Reason Sampled:

Permafrost weathering examination

Description:

On the western side of the Northwind Valley on a narrow flattish bench formed by a dolerite sill, 8.5km west of Larsen Crag;

Altitude:

2000 m

Aspect:

S

Slope:

3 °

Climate

Soil climate zone:

Central mountain

Estimated mean annual temperature:

-27 °C

Frozen ground depth:

5 cm

Frozen type:

Hard ice-cemented

Frozen comment:

5cm

Geology

Geological setting:

Dolerite outcrops on slopes above and below the bench; the drift mantle is derived mainly from dolerite which is probably locally derived, however there are occasional pale coarse-grained granite erratics on the surface and pink coloured feldspar fragments within the soil, which again suggests the possibility of some older till from a down-valley source

Patterned ground:

Very weakly developed

Surface weathering or surface features:

The surface has numerous small boulders which are rounded, well faceted and strongly stained; the pavement is moderately developed

Soil

Soil parent material:

Doleritic till and local drift

Previous disturbance:

Nil

Soil weathering stage:

6 4 (Campbell & Claridge 1975)

Soil moisture status:

Xerous; small snow patches on adjacent slopes and possibly some moisture seepage, as the soil is frozen at 5cm from the surface

Biological activity:

Occasional lichens on rocks