Ross Sea Region Soil Sites
812000
812
27-Jan-1994
IBC, GGGC
Scott base, Ross Island
Soil moisture and bulk density examination; examination of the effects of treading on a Scott base track
Ross Island & Vicinity, 1;250 000 US Geological Survey
Yes
Yes
166.7500
-77.8420
77deg 50.52'S
-166deg -45.00'E
Approximately 150m northwest of Scott Base beside and on a long established walking track route from Scott Base to McMurdo; samples a & b from alongside the walking |
track and samples c & d on the track surface |
0
Nil
40
cf. Notes for GEOLAND below
(0o)
Dry at site
-18
Coastal Antarctic
Predominantly fragmented basaltic scoria, probably with minor inclusions of glaciogenic detritus; the walking track surface has been partly compacted
Nil at site
Nil at site
SURFACE WEATHERING or |
SURFACE FEATURES |
Surface rocks are unstained but some have a weak but distinct polish; some clasts have calcium carbonate coatings on undersides
A high level of foot traffic disturbance on the track surface since the late 1950's; minor disturbance alongside the track
812a 0-5cm
101
greyish brown (10YR 5/2) sandy gravel
102
loose
103
rock particles subangular to subrounded and unstained
104
indistinct boundary,
812b 5-10cm
201
greyish brown to dark greyish brown (10YR 5/2 - 4/2) sandy gravel
202
loose
203
rock particles subangular to subrounded and unstained
204
812c 0-5cm
301
light brownish grey to greyish brown (10YR 6/2 - 5/2) sandy gravel
302
loose
303
rock particles subangular and unstained
304
indistinct boundary,
812d 5-10cm
401
greyish brown (10YR 5/2) sandy gravel
402
weakly cohesive
403
rock particles subangular and unstained
No
Hard ice-cemented
35
1
(35cm)
Geoland
The deposit comprises old scoria flows of the McMurdo Volcanics with the surface rock being fragmented mainly into cobble and boulder sized clasts; |
commonly found are small rounded pebbles of granitic and sedimentary rocks and these are probably derived from the mainland, having been transported by the |
former expanded Ross Sea Glacier, and deposited as it retreated from Ross Island |
Soluble Salt |
Concentration |
81200001
28.00
6.20
81200002
27.80
6.44
81200003
28.00
7.81
81200004
25.90
10.42
81200001
81200002
81200003
81200004
81200001
81200002
81200003
81200004
12-Dec-2005
Page 789 of 896
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