Ross Sea Region Soil Sites
402000
402
29-Nov-1977
IBC, GGC
Wright Valley near the centre of the Asgard Range, to the SW of Lake Vanda in Jotunheim Valley
Soil weathering examination
USGS, Antarctica 1:50,000 Topo. Ser. 1977 Lake Vanda Antarctica
CS Pro & Lscp
No
161.1450
-77.6433
77deg 38.6'S
-161deg -8.7'E
Near the head of Jotunheim Valley on the valley side to the northeast of Wolak Peak; an old morainal shoulder slope below a sandstone abutment on a moderately steep slope; |
about half way up the slope |
9
E
1,700
cf. Notes for GEOLAND below
(9o)
Scattered small snow patches but no soil moistening
-32
Inland Mountain
Dolerite and sandstone bouldery till
Nil observed
Nil
SURFACE WEATHERING or |
SURFACE FEATURES |
Surface boulders angular to subangular; surface stained on sandstone varies from nil to moderately strong; dolerite weakly to moderately stained; some |
weak granular disintegration; fine dolerite with distinct polish; some weak pitting |
Nil
402a 3-0cm
101
surface boulders, cobbles and granular sand
102
subangular to subrounded
103
weakly to strongly stained
104
most boulders upstanding,
402b 0-2cm
201
yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) sandy bouldery granular gravel
202
loose
203
rock particles mostly subangular and moderately to strongly stained
204
distinct boundary,
402c 2-15cm
301
strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) sandy gravel
302
moderately cohesive
303
moderately developed vesicular structure
304
a few fine salt flecks
305
rock particles angular and unstained
306
indistinct boundary,
402d 15-35cm
401
yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) sandy bouldery gravel
402
loose
403
rock particles angular and unstained
404
sharp boundary, on ice-cemented ground
Yes
hard ice-cemented
35
4
(35cm)
Geoland
Tills near the head of the valley are derived from local alpine glaciation with a dolerite sandstone composition; the tills on the valley floor become younger |
up-valley; on some side slopes, the soils appear older; the valley floor has probably remained ice-covered and ablated much later than adjacent slopes which may |
have been ice free for a considerably longer period |
Soluble Salt |
Concentration |
40200001
10.00
40200002
54.00
40200003
68.00
40200004
80.00
40200005
40200001
40200002
40200003
40200004
40200005
40200001
40200002
40200003
40200004
40200005
12-Dec-2005
Page 359 of 896
402