91

Site number:

91

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 13.5km E of Misery Pk.; a stony higher level till surface

Altitude:

2200 m

Aspect:

SE

Slope:

4 °

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, the site is one of the older retreat surfaces

Patterned ground:

Nil

Surface weathering or surface features:

Cobbles and boulders are partly rounded and are more distinctly stained than on younger surfaces; dark aphanite rocks are well polished

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