86

Site number:

86

Authors:

IBC, GGC

Date recorded:

1964/12/12

Reason Sampled:

Soil characterisation

Description:

On a broad undulating slightly concave surface on the north slopes of Roberts Massif, about 2km south of a small ice tongue, just south of Everett Nunatak,

Altitude:

2100 m

Aspect:

W

Slope:

3 °

Climate

Soil climate zone:

Inland mountain

Estimated mean annual temperature:

-45 °C

Frozen ground depth:

0 cm

Frozen type:

Dry frozen

Frozen comment:

Geology

Geological setting:

Till occurs extensively on the lower slopes of Roberts Massif forming mainly shallow deposits over dolerite, Beacon Group sediments and tillite which outcrop in places; the younger unconsolidated tills increase in age away from the ice front and in places form distinctive ridges or loops 1-2m high that mark pauses in ice recession

Patterned ground:

Nil

Surface weathering or surface features:

Surface boulders are rounded on edges; moderately stained and show only slight exfoliation; between boulders, a pebble pavement is moderately developed; salts are extensive beneath surface stones

Soil

Soil parent material:

Shallow doleritic till

Previous disturbance:

Nil

Soil weathering stage:

6 3 (Campbell & Claridge 1975)

Soil moisture status:

Ultraxerous; surface devoid of snow cover

Biological activity:

Nil observed