36

Site number:

36

Authors:

IBC, GGC

Date recorded:

1964/11/16

Reason Sampled:

Soil characterisation

Description:

A raised beach surface, approximately 150m inland from the coast, at the site of a small penguin rookery, on the south eastern coast of Inexpressible Island; on a distinct gravel mound formed by accumulation of nesting stones;

Altitude:

20 m

Aspect:

E

Slope:

4 °

Climate

Soil climate zone:

Coastal Antarctic

Estimated mean annual temperature:

-17 °C

Frozen ground depth:

23 cm

Frozen type:

Hard ice-cemented

Frozen comment:

23cm

Geology

Geological setting:

Granitic till and granitic raised beach gravels, derived from Granite Harbour Intrusives occur extensively; the beach deposits are well sorted and form a series of distinct levels with gently sloping treads and steeper bouldery risers

Patterned ground:

Nil

Surface weathering or surface features:

Most surface rocks are well rounded due to wave action

Soil

Soil parent material:

Sandy pebble, cobble and boulder gravel beach deposits derived mainly from granites with accumulations of mineral and organic material from penguin nesting

Previous disturbance:

Penguin nesting; site unoccupied for a considerable time with accumulations of nesting stones forming a distinctive but subdued mound

Soil weathering stage:

1 (Campbell & Claridge 1975)

Soil moisture status:

Oceanic subxerous, little liquid water available at present, moisture source occasional snowmelt

Biological activity:

Site previously occupied for penguin nesting