90

Site number:

90

Authors:

IBC, GGC

Date recorded:

1964/12/14

Reason Sampled:

Soil characterisation

Description:

An undulating surface on the lower altitude basin-like surfaces of Roberts Massif, approximately 13km E of Misery Pk.; on the upper slope of a low convex moraine ridge

Altitude:

2100 m

Aspect:

N

Slope:

5 °

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:

Lower altitude surfaces at Roberts Massif have deposits of old till of the Sirius Formation while Ferrar Dolerite forms low hills or roche moutonnees; overlying these is an intermittent cover of young, mainly doleritic till; the till sheet shows the retreat of ice by distinct moraine ridges, a meter or so high with soil differences on successive retreat surfaces

Patterned ground:

Nil

Surface weathering or surface features:

Dolerite boulders subrounded to subangular and wind abraded, many with venticular form; moderate to strong surface staining and wind polish

Soil

Soil parent material:

Loose bouldery till derived mainly from dolerite, overlying grey older till

Previous disturbance:

Nil

Soil weathering stage:

6 4 (Campbell & Claridge 1975)

Soil moisture status:

Ultraxerous; no snow

Biological activity:

Nil observed