69

Site number:

69

Authors:

IBC, GGC

Date recorded:

1964/12/04

Reason Sampled:

Soil characterisation

Description:

On hill slopes on the south side of McGregor Glacier, at Rougier Hill; in a small hanging valley containing two sets of moraines part way up the valley; the site is on a down-valley ridge of moraine

Altitude:

1800 m

Aspect:

W

Slope:

10 °

Climate

Soil climate zone:

Central mountain

Estimated mean annual temperature:

-30 °C

Frozen ground depth:

20 cm

Frozen type:

Hard ice-cemented

Frozen comment:

20cm

Geology

Geological setting:

The moraine at this site forms a small ridge across the narrow valley and is from till derived from dolerite, Beacon Group sediments and possibly some granite; it appears from it's geomorphic position that it may have been deposited by an expanded McGregor Glacier which entered local valleys

Patterned ground:

Well developed pattern of 5-10m nets but with subdued surface expression

Surface weathering or surface features:

Some sorting of surface materials by wind; surface boulders with distinct surface staining, some exfoliation and partly rounded

Soil

Soil parent material:

Till derived mainly from dolerite and Beacon Group sedimentary rocks, possibly with some granitic material

Previous disturbance:

Nil

Soil weathering stage:

6 2 (Campbell & Claridge 1975)

Soil moisture status:

Xerous; few small scattered snow pockets in patterned ground troughs but no melting observed

Biological activity:

Nil observed