Ross Sea Region Soil Sites
611000
611
23-Jan-1990
IBC, GGGC, MRB
Marble Point region, western McMurdo Sound just east of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier, between Marble Point and Gneiss Point
Mineralogical and weathering examination
Marble Point Quadrangle, US Geological Survey, 1975
CS Lscp
Yes
163.6660
-77.4053
77deg 24.32'S
-163deg -39.96'E
At the northern of Marble Point region, approximately 1.9km west of Gneiss Point; on an undulating surface 150m south of a dolerite knoll; an exposure of brown 'golden |
shale' |
0
Nil
55
cf. Notes for GEOLAND below
-18
Coastal Antarctic
sampled only for mineralogical examination
Nil
Micro cryic features; many rock fragments lying vertically
SURFACE WEATHERING or |
SURFACE FEATURES |
Surface erratics indicate subsequent ice-sheet over-riding
Engineering examinations
611 NoDsc
101
rock samples only
Yes
0
Geoland
A deposit described as Golden Shale occurs over about 100ha and has scattered erratics on the surface; the deposit is not seen in situ but larger fresh fragments |
occur around an old explosion pit; the material has been determined to be phillipsite, thought to have originated from the deposition of volcanic ash into a saline |
lake, and is believed to be several million years old, possible of similar age to other phillipsite deposits recorded elsewhere in the Dry Valleys; this deposit is |
significant as it sets a minimum age for the uplift of Wright Valley Fiord; the material is extremely fissile, has a low density and is distinctly banded |
Soluble Salt |
Concentration |
61100001
10.70
20.10
23.30
17.00
20.60
7.50
0.90
61100001
8.20
6.50
23.30
2.75
14.50
0.56
33.40
2.30
0.50
Philipsite
61100001
material is pure phillipsite
12-Dec-2005
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