529

Site number:

529

Authors:

IBC, GGC

Date recorded:

1988/01/06

Reason Sampled:

Soil weathering exmination

Description:

Towards the eastern end of Alatna Valley, approximately 10km NNE of Battleship Promontory; near a granite knoll; in a patterned ground crack where wind-blown sand is accumulating

Altitude:

1000 m

Aspect:

Nil

Slope:

0 °

Climate

Soil climate zone:

Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous

Estimated mean annual temperature:

-25 °C

Frozen ground depth:

0 cm

Frozen type:

Frozen comment:

Geology

Geological setting:

Alatna Valley has formed through ice recession from the Benson Glacier and ice from Staten Island Heights; the local rocks are extensive Beacon Sandstone outcrops capped with Ferrar Dolerite; granite outliers are also present; the high sand content of the soils may be due to the incorporation of wind-blown sand from erosion of local rocks

Patterned ground:

Moderately developed, partly infilled cracks; 50cm deep; some cracks active with sand infilling

Surface weathering or surface features:

The surface is moderately weathered with rounded to subrounded boulders, some strongly stained with polish; thin patchy surface salt accumulations

Soil

Soil parent material:

Wind-blown coarse sand from exfoliation of local granite, dolerite and sandstone

Previous disturbance:

Nil

Soil weathering stage:

6 1 (Campbell & Claridge 1975)

Soil moisture status:

Dry at the site but snow probably lies in the patterned ground cracks

Biological activity:

Nil observed