545

Site number:

545

Authors:

IBC, GGC

Date recorded:

1988/01/14

Reason Sampled:

Soil weathering examination

Description:

New Valley, approximately 3km west of New Mountain on the south side of the upper Taylor Glacier; approximately 4.5km south of Taylor Glacier; on a ridge between Arena Valley and New Valley on an outcrop of dolerite

Altitude:

2000 m

Aspect:

Nil

Slope:

0 °

Climate

Soil climate zone:

Central Mountain

Estimated mean annual temperature:

-34 °C

Frozen ground depth:

0 cm

Frozen type:

Frozen comment:

Geology

Geological setting:

Dolerite and sandstone outcrop on ridges; the sandstone and dolerite are strongly stained, polished and pitted

Patterned ground:

Nil

Surface weathering or surface features:

Dolerite clasts strongly stained and pitted

Soil

Soil parent material:

Fine fraction between dolerite bedrock clasts

Previous disturbance:

Nil

Soil weathering stage:

4 (Campbell & Claridge 1975)

Soil moisture status:

Xerous to subxerous; occasional light summer snow falls; some small snow patches nearby;

Biological activity:

Nil observed