43

Site number:

43

Authors:

IBC, GGC

Date recorded:

1964/11/17

Reason Sampled:

Soil characterisation

Description:

a raised flat boulder beach surface on the eastern side of Inexpressible Island, about 3/4km from the coast and 1.5km south of the Scott Expedition snow cave site;

Altitude:

45 m

Aspect:

Nil

Slope:

0 °

Climate

Soil climate zone:

Coastal Antarctic

Estimated mean annual temperature:

-17 °C

Frozen ground depth:

15 cm

Frozen type:

Hard ice-cemented

Frozen comment:

15cm

Geology

Geological setting:

Granite Harbour Intrusives outcrop widely in the region; horizontal raised beach surfaces are a common feature on Inexpressible Island with beach deposits at various levels comprising mainly larger granitic boulders on terrace risers and smaller granitic boulders on beach terrace tread surfaces

Patterned ground:

Weakly developed small polygons

Surface weathering or surface features:

Surface boulders mostly rounded to well rounded; some with distinct surface oxide staining; some surface granular disintegration

Soil

Soil parent material:

Older granitic boulder beach deposits

Previous disturbance:

Nil

Soil weathering stage:

2 (Campbell & Claridge 1975)

Soil moisture status:

Oceanic subxerous, snow cover sparse and little liquid water available

Biological activity:

Small patches of black lichen on some boulders and a few patches of yellow lichen