533

Site number:

533

Authors:

IBC, GGC

Date recorded:

1988/01/07

Reason Sampled:

Soil weathering examination

Description:

Alatna Valley, approximately 2.5km E of Battleship Promontory; an gently undulating moraine surface in a slight depression; a sand accumulation patch behind a boulder

Altitude:

950 m

Aspect:

N

Slope:

2 °

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; the soils are very sandy below the bouldery surface; the sand may in part originate from local erosion and become incorporated into the soil through cryic process

Patterned ground:

Weakly developed broad nets

Surface weathering or surface features:

Strong landsurface stability indicated by wind-fluted and polished and oxidised boulder upper surfaces; abrasion on surfaces exposed to up-valley wind; a well developed pebble pavement between larger boulders; some salts precipitated on the edges of some boulders

Soil

Soil parent material:

Wind-blown sand

Previous disturbance:

Nil

Soil weathering stage:

6 2 (Campbell & Claridge 1975)

Soil moisture status:

Periodic summer snow falls; the site is dry

Biological activity:

Nil observed