# Site_Description

reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/21
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: W
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 5o
soil_parent_matterial: Dolerite in coarse clasts (up to .75m) that have been pre weathered
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Recent 3 cm snowfall with some thawing and water films on rock surfaces
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Stagnant ice
frozen_comment: 8cm
description:
  On the second youngest moraine associated with a valley head cirque ice tongue in Koenig Valley; an uneven bouldery and gently sloping surface with the site located on the down-valley side of a moraine loop

geological_setting:
  The Asgard Range is comprised of Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; the landscape is ancient with the high altitude valley cirques cut in pre Miocene time; subsequent glaciation has been restricted mainly to valley head cirque type activity; the glacial deposits represent accumulations of local head wall materials which have probably been weathered in place before incorporation into local glaciers; differences in moraine topography are accompanied by differences in soils on the differing surfaces

surface_weathering:
  Surface clasts mainly subangular to subrounded with some surface staining; no pitting or exfoliation

processing_notes:
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reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/21
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Doleritic till that may have been pre-weathered
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Well developed with cracks up to 1m deep
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Stagnant ice
frozen_comment: 30cm
description:
  A slightly lower elevation moraine surface at the foot of a prominent moraine lobe that marks an earlier distinct ice advance; an uneven patterned ground covered surface

geological_setting:
  The Asgard Range is comprised of Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; the landscape is ancient with the high altitude valley cirques cut in pre Miocene time; subsequent glaciation has been restricted mainly to valley head cirque type activity; the glacial deposits represent accumulations of local head wall materials which have probably been weathered in place before incorporation into local glaciers; differences in moraine topography are accompanied by differences in soils on the differing surfaces this surface is the third oldest geomorphic surface

soil_moisture_status:
  Recent 3 cm snowfall with some thawing and water films on rock surfaces and some moistening of the soil surface

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders moderately rounded and up to 75cm with some fracturing and fragmentation; moderate surface oxidation with patchy reddish oxidation; few salts beneath some surface clasts

processing_notes:
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reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/21
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
description: An older moraine surface at a lower elevation on an uneven, slightly sloping surface
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 3o
soil_parent_matterial: Doleritic till, shallow over ice-cemented ground
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed nets
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 8cm
geological_setting:
  The Asgard Range is comprised of Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; the landscape is ancient with the high altitude valley cirques cut in pre Miocene time; subsequent glaciation has been restricted mainly to valley head cirque type activity; the glacial deposits represent accumulations of local head wall materials which have probably been weathered in place before incorporation into local glaciers; the moraine sequence is complex

soil_moisture_status:
  Recent 3 cm snowfall with some thawing and water films on rock surfaces and some moistening of the soil surface

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders moderately rounded many clasts strongly oxidised; well developed pitting on some clasts on both upper and lower surfaces

processing_notes:
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reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/21
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS & B&W Pro
field_samples: Yes
description: A valley floor moraine surface on a slightly elevated but flat surface
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Predominantly doleritic till, fine and coarse grained dolerite with minor sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Snow cover from a recent fall with surface moistening to around 1cm
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4/5
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen over ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 50cm
geological_setting:
  The Asgard Range is comprised of Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; the landscape is ancient with the high altitude valley cirques cut in pre Miocene time; subsequent glaciation has been restricted mainly to valley head cirque type activity; the glacial deposits represent accumulations of local head wall materials; the upper valley floor deposits probably represent earlier and more extensive cirque glaciation

surface_weathering:
  A well weathered surface; coarse grained dolerite fragmenting and disaggregating; fine grained dolerite clasts with distinctive pitting and marked surface reddening; some surface polish; moderately to strongly developed ventiforms some with distinct pitting,

processing_notes:
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reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/22
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Mainly doleritic moraine with some sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Snow cover from a recent fall with surface moistening to around 1cm
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4/5
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen over ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 46cm
description:
  A prominent near level moraine bench surface near the mouth of Koenig Valley; a moderately bouldery surface with boulders upstanding to 75cm; the sample site in near the centre of the surface

geological_setting:
  The Asgard Range is comprised of Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; the landscape is ancient with the high altitude valley cirques cut in pre Miocene time; subsequent glaciation has been restricted mainly to valley head cirque type activity; the glacial deposits on the higher bench surfaces near the valley mouth probably relate early cirque filled ice; there are occasional granite erratics

surface_weathering:
  Surface dolerite boulders subrounded to rounded with some cavernous weathering and exfoliation; strongly stained; some pitting and polish; salts beneath some surface clasts

processing_notes:
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reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/23
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Dolerite and sandstone over weathered sandstone and sandstone bedrock
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Snow cover from a recent fall with surface moistening to around 1cm
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed old bedrock polygon cracks
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4/5
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Bedrock frozen
frozen_comment: >20cm
description:
  An eroded sandstone bench surface on the NE side of Koenig Valley overlain with a dolerite and sandstone cobble pavement

geological_setting:
  The Asgard Range is comprised of Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; the landscape is ancient with the high altitude valley cirques cut in pre-Miocene time; a sandstone surface on the NE side of Koenig Valley has a veneer of dolerite and sandstone cobbles that have protected the underlying sandstone from erosion; the soil section shows a nice example of bedrock fragmentation resulting from old patterned ground activity

surface_weathering:
  A well developed cobble/pebble pavement of dolerite and sandstone; moderately developed ventiforms; dolerite clasts with strong staining and polish; coarse grained dolerite clasts are crumbled and fine grained clasts have moderate surface pitting; surface rocks are rounded to subrounded

processing_notes:
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reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/23
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: No
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Granular sandy wind drift forming a small deposit in the lee of a boulder
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Dry
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: The surface is loose and without a stone pavement; the deposit is essentially unweathered
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  An eroded sandstone bench surface on the NE side of Koenig Valley overlain with a dolerite and sandstone cobble pavement; this sample is from accumulated wind-blown detritus from the lee of a boulder

geological_setting:
  The Asgard Range is comprised of Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; the landscape is ancient with the high altitude valley cirques cut in pre-Miocene time; erosional material carried by wind accumulates in the lee of boulders and gives an indication of weathering and geomorphic processes; the material is mainly doleritic partly rounded and predominantly altered; its weathering and lack of strong rounding suggests that it is predominantly derived from the exfoliation of local weathering surface dolerite boulders

processing_notes:
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reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/23
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NE
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 4o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy till from predominantly sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Some recent snowfall with a patchy cover; probably some recent surface soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed large nets which appear inactive
previous_disturbance: Nil at site but previous activity in the area
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >60cm
description:
  The floor of Sessrumnir Valley near a very large sandstone erratic boulder; on a somewhat indistinct loop of moraine that forms a small hillock; a gently sloping surface

geological_setting:
  The Asgard Range is comprised of Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; the landscape is ancient with the high altitude valley cirques cut in pre-Miocene time; Sessrumnir valley has a sequence of moraine surfaces and tills in places with well weathered soils; the relationship between the age of the valley floor soils and those on the granitic till at the valley mouth is unclear but they may be of a similar age

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders not strongly stained, probably due to abrasion, but are well rounded and some faceted; well developed ventiforms and a good surface pavement; some salts beneath surface stones

processing_notes:
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reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/23
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 6o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel till from sandstone and dolerite with rare granite
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Patchy snow cover with some melt on rocks but negligible surface soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad nets
previous_disturbance: Nil at site but previous activity in the area
soil_weathering: 5
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 35cm
description:
  On a sloping surface on the W side of Sessrumnir Valley, about midway up the slope, above the clearly identifiable main granitic till deposits; an old till surface; the site is on a minor shelf on the sloping surface

geological_setting:
  The Asgard Range is comprised of Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; the landscape is ancient with the high altitude valley cirques cut in pre-Miocene time; Sessrumnir valley has a sequence of moraine surfaces and tills in places with well weathered soils; the soils at higher elevation typically show the greatest weathering; at lower elevation in the valley mouth there are many granite erratics; these diminish with increased elevation; at this site, one weathered granitic clast was found

surface_weathering:
  Dolerite clasts strongly pitted and stained and some coarser clasts completely disaggregated to ground surface level; some sandstone clasts with reddish surface coatings; a well developed cobble and pebble pavement

processing_notes:
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reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/24
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS & B&W & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NW
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 3o
soil_parent_matterial: Dolerite and sandstone bouldery till
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: A snow covered surface but some thaw on rock surfaces; soil surface mainly dry
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil at site but previous activity in the area
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 45cm
description:
  A broad sloping slightly hummocky bouldery bench surface towards the mouth of Koenig Valley on the E side; the site is near the centre of an even sloping part of the surface

geological_setting:
  The Asgard Range is comprised of Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; the landscape is ancient with the high altitude valley cirques cut in pre-Miocene time; Koenig Valley has a similar moraine and till sequence to that found in Sessrumnir Valley; the high shoulder surfaces may relate to early valley filling ice episodes as soils here tend to be the oldest; this surface is above the level at which granite erratics are found

surface_weathering:
  Predominantly dolerite boulders, up to 1m but many having fractured; most show some rounding with strong surface staining; fine grained dolerite strongly pitted; marked exfoliation of coarse grained dolerite; sandstone clasts with reddish oxide coatings and showing marked cavernous weathering; salts beneath some surface stones

processing_notes:
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reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/25
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & B&W Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NW
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 6o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel till from dolerite and sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Small patchy snow remnants; dry soil after previous slight surface moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 16cm
description:
  On the west sloping side of Koenig Valley floor on an uneven surface with weakly developed patterned ground; the site is near the edge of a polygon unit

geological_setting:
  The Asgard Range is comprised of Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; the landscape is ancient with the high altitude valley cirques cut in pre-Miocene time; patterned ground covers part of the valley floor surface but is generally weakly expressed with some cracks appearing inactive; soil near the edge of the polygon appears to be less weathered than near the centre

patterned_ground:
  Broad 10-15m nets with weakly raised borders and <15cm troughs, weakly developed and mostly inactive

surface_weathering:
  A moderately developed cobble and pebble pavement with some dolerite boulders cavernously weathered and most showing distinct rounding; moderate to strong surface staining; fine grained dolerite weakly pitted; some sandstone clasts disaggregated

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/25
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & B&W Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NW
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 6o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel till from dolerite and sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Small patchy snow remnants; dry soil after previous slight surface moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
description:
  On the west sloping side of Koenig Valley floor on an uneven surface with weakly developed patterned ground; the site is near the centre of a polygon unit

geological_setting:
  The Asgard Range is comprised of Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; the landscape is ancient with the high altitude valley cirques cut in pre-Miocene time; patterned ground covers part of the valley floor surface but is generally weakly expressed with some cracks appearing inactive; soil near the centre of the polygon appears to be somewhat more weathered than at the edge

patterned_ground:
  Broad 10-15m nets with weakly raised borders and <15cm troughs, weakly developed and mostly inactive

surface_weathering:
  A moderately developed cobble and pebble pavement with some dolerite boulders cavernously weathered and most showing distinct rounding; moderate to strong surface staining; fine grained dolerite weakly pitted; some sandstone clasts disaggregated

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/25
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: Nil
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Dolerite and sandtone till, possibly reworked as pond sediment
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Small patchy snow remnants; dry soil with no water present
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad nets
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 15cm
description:
  A flat surface in a depression at the northern end of the floor of Koenig Valley with some very slightly raised patches; a completely enclosed basin and salty hollow; the site is near the centre of the hollow

geological_setting:
  The Asgard Range is comprised of Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; the landscape is ancient with the high altitude valley cirques cut in pre-Miocene time; hollows or enclosed basins are found in many locations, often behind a ridge of moraine; they are commonly salty having slowly accumulated salts over a very long time; the salts in these basins provide clues to Antarctic geochemical history; the soils typically have olive colours and a greater than normal clay content

surface_weathering:
  A well developed pebble pavement surface but with clasts slightly depressed in soft ground; thick salt accumulations beneath surface stones; surface clasts weakly to moderately oxidised but strongly altered

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/25
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: Nil
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Dolerite till, possibly reworked as pond sediment
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Small patchy snow remnants; dry soil with no water present
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad nets
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
description:
  A flat surface in a depression at the northern end of the floor of Koenig Valley with some very slightly raised patches; a completely enclosed basin and salty hollow; the site is near soil 395 but at a patterned ground crack where dolerite clasts predominate; samples were collected at differing points along a small transect through a patterned ground crack

geological_setting:
  The Asgard Range is comprised of Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; the landscape is ancient with the high altitude valley cirques cut in pre-Miocene time; hollows or enclosed basins are found in many locations, often behind a ridge of moraine; they are commonly salty having slowly accumulated salts over a very long time; the salts in these basins provide clues to Antarctic geochemical history; where dolerite predominates, the soils have much browner colours

surface_weathering:
  A well developed dolerite pavement surface but with clasts slightly depressed in soft ground; thick salt accumulations beneath surface stones; surface clasts weakly to moderately oxidised but strongly altered; salts extensively precipitating on the exposed soil face

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/25
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: Nil
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Granular doleritic gravel
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: The soil is moist
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad nets
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
description:
  A flat surface in a depression at the northern end of the floor of Koenig Valley with some very slightly raised patches; a completely enclosed basin and salty hollow; the site is near soil 396 and at a patterned ground crack where dolerite clasts predominate; samples were collected at differing points along a small transect through a patterned ground crack; this sample site is where dolerite particles are coarser

geological_setting:
  The Asgard Range is comprised of Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; the landscape is ancient with the high altitude valley cirques cut in pre-Miocene time; hollows or enclosed basins are found in many locations, often behind a ridge of moraine; they are commonly salty having slowly accumulated salts over a very long time; the salts in these basins provide clues to Antarctic geochemical history; where dolerite predominates, the soils have much browner colours; the soil colours differ with differing particle size grades

surface_weathering:
  A well developed dolerite pavement surface but with clasts slightly depressed in soft ground; surface clasts weakly to moderately oxidised but strongly altered

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/27
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandstone and dolerite till
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Patchy snow cover from recent falls; some thaw with patchy soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Broad inactive patterned ground nets
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 40cm
description:
  On a level valley floor moraine surface just up-valley from a ridge of moraine that crosses the mouth of the valley, approximately 3km ENE of Oliver Peak

geological_setting:
  Local outcrops are dominated by Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; glacial sequences are similar to other alpine of the Asgard Range with old sequences of local alpine valley glaciers dominated by sandstone and dolerite together with granite valley mouth tills; this site is on local valley till

surface_weathering:
  A cobble and small boulder well deflated surface; ventiforms well developed; dolerite clasts strongly stained with coarse grained clasts exfoliating

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/27
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandstone and dolerite till with minor granitic and other crystalline components
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Patchy snow cover from recent falls; some thaw with patchy soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Broad inactive patterned ground nets
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_type: Dry frozen over hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 55
description:
  On slightly a slightly hummocky broad moraine surface forming a low ridge at the mouth of Jotunheim Valley, approximately 5km ENE of Oliver Peak; the site is near the crest of the broad ridge

geological_setting:
  Local outcrops are dominated by Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; glacial sequences are similar to other alpine of the Asgard Range with old sequences of local alpine valley glaciers dominated by sandstone and dolerite; the valley mouth till (Asgard Till) includes granitic rocks and other unidentified crystalline rocks indicating a non local source

surface_weathering:
  A dominantly cobble and small boulder surface with very few larger upstanding boulders; slight to moderate pitting and some polish on fine grained clasts; some disaggregation of coarse grained clasts; moderately developed ventiforms; salts beneath some surface clasts

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/28
authors: IBC, GGC
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till predominantly from granite and with dolerite and sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Few small snow remnants from recent snow falls
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >65cm
description:
  A slight mound on the undulating floor of Nibelungen Valley; near a granitic outcrop; approximately 2.5km NW of Panaroma Peak

geological_setting:
  Local outcrops are dominated by Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; glacial sequences are similar to other alpine of the Asgard Range with old sequences of local alpine valley glaciers dominated by sandstone and dolerite; granite outcrops lower down the valley and its presence in the till may indicate up-valley movement

surface_weathering:
  Granite clasts are strongly disaggregated; dolerite is moderately stained and weakly to moderately pitted; sandstone clasts are polished with reddish oxide coatings; moderate ventiforms and some cavernously weathered sandstone

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/29
authors: IBC, GGC
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Snow is extensive in patterned ground cracks
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Strongly developed medium nets; cracks up to 2m deep from polygon centres
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 40cm
description:
  On a valley floor till-covered surface near the head of Jotunheim Valley; a narrow surface with occasional small rises and with strongly developed patterned ground

geological_setting:
  Tills near the head of the valley are derived from local alpine glaciation with a dolerite sandstone composition; the tills become younger up-valley and the surface expression is distinguished by prominent high relief patterned ground which is probably ice-cored; the surface may be of Alpine II to Alpine III age

soil_parent_matterial:
  Dolerite and sandstone ablation moraine; probably partly preweathered from erosion of valley wall surfaces

surface_weathering:
  Weak surface weathering; patchy stain on boulders; negligible ventiforms and pitting; few fine salt accumulations beneath some clasts

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/29
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 9o
soil_parent_matterial: Dolerite and sandstone bouldery till
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Scattered small snow patches but no soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 35cm
description:
  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

geological_setting:
  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

surface_weathering:
  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

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/29
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 2o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery doleritic till with some sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Patchy snow cover mainly in patterned ground cracks; no visible soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Moderately developed; 10m nets with 75cm troughs
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_type: hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 35
description:
  On the west side of the valley floor; approximately 1km NE of Wolak Peak; on the main valley floor gently undulating till covered surface

geological_setting:
  Tills near the head of the valley are derived from local alpine glaciation with a dolerite sandstone composition; the tills on the valley floor are youngest to the south and become older to the north due to slow southwards ice retreat and ablation; the till is probably ice cored

surface_weathering:
  Coarse dolerite is weakly fragmented but subrounded; fine dolerite with slight pitting; oxidation of dolerite and sandstone surfaces is weak; unoxidised sandstones show some cavernous weathering; some exfoliation on coarse grained rocks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/30
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 2o
soil_parent_matterial: Doleritic cobbly gravel with some sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Patchy snow cover mainly in patterned ground cracks; no visible soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Subdued patterned ground, probably inactive
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 35cm
description:
  Near the centre of Jotunheim Valley on an open till plain surface; approximately 3.4km NE of Wolak Peak; a subdued patterned ground covered surface

geological_setting:
  Tills near the head of the valley are derived from local alpine glaciation with a dolerite sandstone composition; the tills on the valley floor are youngest to the south and become older to the north due to slow southwards ice retreat and ablation; this till is an older Alpine Moraine deposit

surface_weathering:
  A well developed cobble and pebble pavement with few upstanding boulders; clasts mainly subrounded; surface staining varies according to rock type; coarse grained dolerite disaggregating, fine grained dolerite weakly pitted, oxidised and some polish; sandstone clasts reddened; salts beneath some surface stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/30
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 3o
geological_setting: Granite outcrops on lower surfaces and mainly to the east in Wright Valley
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: No snow local snow patches; no soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >25cm
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Approximately 1km from the mouth of Nibelungen Valley on a gently undulating knoll comprising a granite bedrock outcrop

soil_parent_matterial:
  Fragmented granite bedrock with occasional dolerite pebble erratics; fines may be partly windblown or residual till

surface_weathering:
  A moderately developed pebble and cobble pavement of fragmented granite and occasional dolerite pebbles; surface staining mainly weak but a few clasts more strongly stained; staining mainly on upper surfaces


reason: Rock weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/11/30
authors: IBC, GGC
description: A sandstone ridge between Nibelungen and Jotunheim Valleys
altitude_unit: m
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: No snow patches; a dry site
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
geological_setting:
  Beacon Sandstone rocks vary considerably in their lithology; they are commonly indurated quartzitic sandstone but finer sediments occur generally in thin bands; in some places bands of coal are present; at this site, a band of thin olive green platy sediment was present

surface_weathering:
  Sandstone outcrops with hardened oxidised upper surfaces but cavernous weathering on undersides; softer sedimentary bands crumbling

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/12/01
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Dolerite and sandstone stony till
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: A few small snow remnants; soil is dry without moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Old broad nets but inactive and very subdued
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >50cm
description:
  At the northern end of the Jotunheim Valley till plain surface, approximately 4.5km NE of Oliver Peak; a level surface

geological_setting:
  The valley floor till is mapped by Denton as Jotunheim Till with an age >10.5 my and is thought to overlie the valley mouth Asgard Till; it is derived from alpine valley type glaciation within Jotunheim Valley and is derived from local dolerite and sandstone rocks

surface_weathering:
  Well developed pebble and cobble pavement with few boulders above 25cm; most surface clasts are well rounded; coarse grained dolerite clasts eroded to ground surface; sandstones moderately polished; fine textured dolerite moderately oxidised with some weak pitting; sandstone clasts moderately ventiformed; salts beneath some stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/12/02
authors: IBC, GGC
description: Top of St Pauls Mountain in the Asgard Range
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
geological_setting: Ferrar Dolerite caps most of the higher peaks and ridges because of its resistance to erosion
soil_parent_matterial: Fragmental dolerite
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Snow patches widespread but no thaw present
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
surface_weathering:
  Dolerite is strongly stained with surface polish; some outcrops are sculptured but not deeply; weathering along joint planes resulting in rounded spheroidal forms


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/12/05
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: S
slope_comment: 140
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel till containing predominantly sandstone with some dolerite and including some granite
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Extensive snow cover from recent snow falls but little thawing; the soil surface is dry
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 35
description:
  On the north side of Wright Valley in the Olympus range, above the North Fork of Wright Valley; near the edge of a prominent erosional bench surface; a small rounded residual moraine ridge about 75m from the upper edge of the steep Wright Valley side with a hummocky surface

geological_setting:
  Asgard Till has been widely recognised in the valleys of the Asgard Range; the till at this site is granitic, similar to the Asgard Till occurrences and has soils of similar weathering stage; the nearest granite outcrops are at a lower elevation

surface_weathering:
  Sandstone clasts are strongly oxidised, many with red colour and also very hard; dolerite is mainly fine textured, oxidised and polished but unpitted; sandstone shows moderate exfoliation; salts present beneath surface stones; the pavement is weakly developed

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/12/05
authors: IBC, GGC
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Fragmented dolerite
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Extensive snow cover from recent snow falls but little thawing; the soil surface is dry
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  On the north side of Wright Valley in the Olympus range, above the North Fork of Wright Valley; on a broad undulating and hummocky Beacon sandstone bench surface with occasional dolerite dykes; south of Mt Aeolus

geological_setting:
  Dolerite feeder dykes are the source for dolerite caps in the peaks of the Olympus Range; the dolerite surface is probably feldsenmeer


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/12/08
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 10o
soil_parent_matterial: Dolerite, granite and sandstone bouldery sandy gravel till
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Extensive snow cover on surface with some moistening of the soil surface to 3 cm;
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: 115cm; >115cm
description:
  A sloping bench surface on an upper side slope of Wright Valley with shallow ridges; the site is on a slightly uneven broad sloping ridge about midslope

geological_setting:
  Till sequences in the Lower Wright Valley are complex; higher elevation till deposits are probably older than the lower elevation recognised sequence of up-valley ice advances; the till at this site may be the equivalent of Asgard Till

surface_weathering:
  Coarse dolerite weakly to moderately stained, fine grained dolerite moderately stained; unpitted; moderately developed ventiforms; sandstone clasts hardened but unstained; a moderately developed pebble pavement with a few upstanding dolerite boulders to 75cm; exfoliation and disintegration of some coarse grained granites

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/12/09
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
geological_setting: Granite outcrops in this part of the valley and shows evidence of strong weathering
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Patchy residual snow cover; surface soil moistening to 3cm
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >30cm
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Towards the NE end of a distinct valley side bench in Wright Valley approximately 9.5km east of Bull Pass; a surface with concentrations of large granite boulders interspersed with bedrock outcrop and some weathered hollows

soil_parent_matterial:
  Weathered granite bedrock; the soil surface includes some accumulated granitic material from the fragmentation of rock outcrops

surface_weathering:
  Granite outcrops and larger boulder are strongly cavernously weathered; strong surface exfoliation; some clasts are strongly oxidised and disaggregating; surface rock staining is patchy and results in case hardening on some boulders


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/12/10
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Fragmented dolerite and windblown sand, probably from Beacon Group rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Extensive patchy snow; surface 3cm is moist
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
processing_notes: Long text site description information scraped from HTML files
description:
  At the eastern end of the Insel Range, approximately .4km to the west of Mt Insel; a bouldery undulating feldsenmeer surface from frost weathered dolerite;

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite forms the surface of the Insel Range; to the west, patches of till occur but the eastern is essentially till free; the surface materials, fragmented dolerite have formed by freeze/thaw in the dolerite joint planes resulting in a very bouldery surface interspersed with patchy bedrock and some accumulation of finer fragmental material; no evidence of granite erratics was observed

surface_weathering:
  Dolerite surfaces are strongly stained; rock edges are rounded; some cavernous weathering in coarse grained outcrops or boulders; some weak intermittent pitting; boulders are commonly up to 1m


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/12/11
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SW
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 7o
soil_parent_matterial: Alpine stony till from local dolerite, granite and sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: A recent snowfall resulted in surface soil moistening followed by rapid drying
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: 100cm; >100cm
description:
  On the east side of Bull Pass near the southern end; on a moraine tongue near the foot of the slope below Sandy Glacier; approximately 2.5km SSW of Mt Orestes; a sloping surface with slight undulations

geological_setting:
  Bull Pass area is complex in respect of its glaciological history; the valley side tills give an indication of the glacial and weathering sequences; south of Mt Orestes, a moraine lobe on the valley side appears to have originated from the valley side cirque occupied by Sandy Glacier; subsequent ice retreat has resulted in the surface being dissected by a small stream

surface_weathering:
  A moderately developed pebble and cobble pavement with few upstanding boulders; some cavernous weathering; dolerite clasts weakly stained; moderately developed ventiforms; coarse grained rocks disaggregating; salts beneath a few surface stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/12/11
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SW
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 15o
soil_parent_matterial: Granite, sandstone and dolerite sandy gravel till with accessions of a few other dyke rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: A recent snowfall resulted in surface soil moistening followed by rapid drying
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >96cm
description:
  On the east side of Bull Pass near the southern end; below a moraine tongue near the foot of the slope below Sandy Glacier; approximately 2.8km SSW of Mt Orestes; a long sloping slightly concave and subdued surface

geological_setting:
  Bull Pass area is complex in respect of its glaciological history; the valley side tills give an indication of the glacial and weathering sequences; south of Mt Orestes, a moraine lobe on the valley side appears to have originated from the valley side cirque occupied by Sandy Glacier; this valley side till is older and may have come from ice entering Bull Pass from Wright Valley, judged by a range of erratics

surface_weathering:
  Occasional large boulders showing advanced disintegration; granite clasts oxidised on upper surfaces and many disaggregated; a moderately developed cobble, pebble to granular sand pavement; moderate surface abrasion and ventiform development

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1977/12/12
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Predominantly sandstone and dolerite stony till with some granite
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Patchy snow but the soil is dry
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >15cm
description:
  Art Beacon Heights, between east Beacon and West Beacon, a small alpine cirque valley; the site is located at the valley mouth on a ridge of granitic moraine, near the centre of the valley and on the crest of the ridge

geological_setting:
  Valley mouth moraines in the Asgard Range of Wright Valley have originated from ice entering the valleys, similar to the more recent invasions of Ross tills into the Lower Taylor and Lower Wright Valleys; at Beacon Heights, the valley mouth moraine has a distinct granite erratic component, similar to that at New Mountain indicating a distant source from a large ice invasion; the local rocks are Ferrar Dolerite and Beacon Sandstone

surface_weathering:
  A moderately developed cobble pavement; dolerite and sandstone clasts are subrounded, moderately ventiformed and strongly stained; some salts beneath surface stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/12
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Cobbly quartzose sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Abundant small scattered snow patches; no thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Moderately developed 5m nets with 50cm troughs
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Bedrock
frozen_comment: >24cm
description:
  Just below the summit of Mt Ash, on the western side; an undulating uneven surface comprising flattish and moderately slopes with oxidised sandstone and unweathered sandstone outcrops interspersed with patches of sorted drift deposits

geological_setting:
  Beacon Group quartzose sedimentary rocks occur at the summit of Mt Ash; some granitic rocks up to large boulder size are present but are thought to have come from tillite in the Beacon Group; thin scattered drift deposits are thought to represent accumulations of local erosional materials concentrated by nivation cirque ice activity

surface_weathering:
  A moderately developed cobble and pebble pavement with subrounded clasts; strongly stained and polished; some sandstone clasts with a greyish glazed appearance and appear to be silicified

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/12
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Gravelly dolerite drift
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Small snow pockets in the lee of boulders; no thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen over ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 40cm
description:
  Just north of Mt Ash, in a high saddle adjacent to dolerite cliffs; a broad flattish surface between dolerite outcrops

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite outcrops extensively on the upper slopes; a few sandstone clasts are present which may have originated from slope working or cryogenic processes

surface_weathering:
  A strongly developed surface cobble and pebble pavement, slightly ventiform, with a few boulders; moderate rounding; some smaller clasts are highly oxidised but moderately polished and pitted; coarser grained clasts have patchy oxidation and are partly exfoliated; few salts beneath some surface stones,

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/12
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
description: Approximately 4km NE of Mount Ash on a sloping valley floor moraine
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NW
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Small snow pockets in the lee of boulders; no thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed 10-15m nets with shallow troughs
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 20
geological_setting:
  Local rocks are Ferrar Dolerite and Beacon Sandstone; the till includes some granite which is widespread lower down the Darwin Glacier, the moraine topography including the shape of terminal loops strongly suggests an ice advance into the valley; a much younger event than Asgard till of the Wright Valley

soil_parent_matterial:
  Gravelly moraine from sandstone, dolerite and granite; probably includes some pre weathered material

surface_weathering:
  A weakly to moderately weathered surface; weak pavement development; weak to moderate surface staining with slight pitting; some granite moderately stained and partly crumbled; few salts beneath surface stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/12
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Small snow pockets in the lee of boulders; no thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed 10-15m nets with shallow troughs
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2/3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 10cm
description:
  Approximately 4.3km NE of Mount Ash on a sloping valley floor moraine; the second distinct moraine surface

geological_setting:
  Local rocks are Ferrar Dolerite and Beacon Sandstone; the till includes some granite which is widespread lower down the Darwin Glacier, the moraine topography including the shape of terminal loops strongly suggests an ice advance into the valley; a much younger event than Asgard till of the Wright Valley

soil_parent_matterial:
  Gravelly moraine from sandstone, dolerite and granite; probably includes some pre weathered material

surface_weathering:
  A well developed cobble pavement with larger clasts abraded on-up wind sides; moderate surface staining but may be partly relict

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/12
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NE
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery gravel till from predominantly dolerite with sandstone and minor granite
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Snow in patterned ground cracks; no thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Active nets with 1m relief; probably ice cored
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 45cm
description:
  Approximately 4.5km NE of Mount Ash on the east side of a large depression; a moraine surface which forms part of a sequence of surfaces marked by a succession of moraine loops

geological_setting:
  Local rocks are Ferrar Dolerite and Beacon Sandstone; the till includes some granite which is widespread lower down the Darwin Glacier, the moraine topography including the shape of terminal loops strongly suggests an ice advance into the valley; a much younger event than Asgard till of the Wright Valley

surface_weathering:
  Surface is non pavementic; dolerite clasts moderately oxidised; granite and sandstone weakly oxidised; many large surface boulders from 2-3m, most .75-1m; some boulders split; no ventiforms or cavernous weathering

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/13
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NE
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till from dolerite and sandstone with minor granite
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Patchy snow cover with some slight thawing; soil surface moistened occasionally
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Stagnant ice
frozen_comment: 40cm
description:
  On a low elevation hummocky young moraine surface; adjacent to a large area of thermokarst moraine alongside an ice lobe in a small side valley of the Hatherton Glacier

geological_setting:
  Local rocks are Ferrar Dolerite and Beacon Sandstone; the till includes some granite which is widespread lower down the Darwin Glacier, the moraine topography including the shape of terminal loops strongly suggests an ice advance into the valley; the till is recent, probably Ross I age; there my have been some water sorting by thermokarstic processes

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders up to 2m; little rounding and weak surface oxidation; no crumbling, cavernous weathering or ventiforms; some weak exfoliation on sandstone clasts

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/13
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CP Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Grey flakes of silty to clayey material possibly formed by freeze drying
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  On a low elevation hummocky young moraine surface; adjacent to a large area of thermokarst moraine alongside an ice lobe in a small side valley of the Hatherton Glacier

geological_setting:
  Local rocks are Ferrar Dolerite and Beacon Sandstone; the till includes some granite which is widespread lower down the Darwin Glacier; flakey fine textured tabular pellet-like material occurs beneath some boulders and appears to be part of a precipitation process

soil_moisture_status:
  Patchy snow cover with some slight thawing; the material precipitated beneath the rock indicates that the site may have been previously wet

surface_weathering:
  Surface rocks are unweathered; the material on the underside of the rock resembles flattish flakey pellets

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/13
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: S
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till with mixed lithology
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Patchy snow cover from recent fall with thawing at edges and localized soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad nets; possible solifluction lobes on steeper slopes
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 35cm
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  On the south side of Diamond Hill, approximately 4.5km to the SW; on the side of a broad sloping bench and shallow ridge on a very bouldery young moraine surface

geological_setting:
  Local rocks are granites and gneiss but till covers the lower slopes and includes some dolerite and sandstone

surface_weathering:
  Some larger rocks spalling and moving apart by ice wedging; many rocks are moderately stained and partly rounded; granular disintegration and pitting, cavernous weathering and ventiforms are negligible; non pavementic


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/13
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: S
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till with mixed lithology; the soil is deeper and appears a little more weathered
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Patchy snow cover from recent fall with thawing at edges and localized soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 45cm
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  On the south side of Diamond Hill, approximately 4.5km to the SW; on the side of a broad sloping bench and shallow ridge on a very bouldery young moraine surface; the site is 5m to the east of site 424 within the same patterned ground unit

geological_setting:
  Local rocks are granites and gneiss but till covers the lower slopes and includes some dolerite and sandstone

patterned_ground:
  Weakly developed broad nets; possible solifluction lobes on steeper slopes; may be greater site stability than for site 424

surface_weathering:
  Some larger rocks spalling and moving apart by ice wedging; many rocks are moderately stained and partly rounded; some granular disintegration of granite clasts; and pitting, cavernous weathering and ventiforms are negligible; non pavementic


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/14
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Partly weathered doleritic bedrock
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Extensive snow cover but no thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed in areas of deeper drift
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5/6
frozen_depth_unit: >
frozen_type: Dry frozen over bedrock
frozen_comment: >30
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  A nunatak at the edge of the Polar Plateau at the head of the Hatherton Glacier; at the eastern end of Westhaven Nunatak on a planar surface, approximately 150m above the ice level; on a small residual knoll

geological_setting:
  Westhaven Nunatak is a dolerite outcrop; this area was examined to see if there were old surfaces and soils similar to those seen at the edge of the Polar Plateau in the Shackleton Glacier

surface_weathering:
  Bedrock dolerite clasts are well rounded and strongly stained; non pitted; active exfoliation and crumbling; rock spalling through ice wedging and heave; few salts beneath some tabular rocks


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/14
authors: IBC, GGC
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Stony dolerite moraine
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Extensive snow cover but no thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Strongly developed nets with 1m deep troughs; the soil is underlain by ice
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Stagnant ice
frozen_comment: 10cm
description:
  A nunatak at the edge of the Polar Plateau at the head of the Hatherton Glacier; at the eastern end of Westhaven Nunatak on a lower elevation small terrace or bench type of surface with patterned ground covered topography

geological_setting:
  Westhaven Nunatak is a dolerite outcrop; this area was examined to see if there were old surfaces and soils similar to those seen at the edge of the Polar Plateau in the Shackleton Glacier; the lower altitude surface might be expected to have soils that are less weathered than on the top of Westhaven Nunatak; the strong patterned ground features suggest much more recent surface exposure

surface_weathering:
  A stony surface; dolerite clasts are moderately stained; probably derived from erosion of local outcrops

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/15
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Weathered dolerite drift from local bedrock over old doleritic till
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Small patches of snow but no thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil; the soil site may be an ancient patterned ground crack
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5/6
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry-frozen over bedrock
frozen_comment: >90cm
description:
  Near an un-named peak to the SE of Turnstile Ridge at the head of the Hatherton Glacier (Pk 2421); a high dolerite remnant plateau surface approximately 400m above the edge of the Polar Plateau ice; the site is near the top of Pk 2421 in a broad depression where a till deposit is present; much of the plateau surface is devoid of till and has dolerite bedrock outcropping

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite outcrops on the high surfaces; this site being 400m above the Polar Plateau ice is probably an old surface that has remained unglaciated for a long period; the site forms part of an escarpment which drops 800m to the NE to the Hatherton Glacier; the landforms are probably part of ancient land surface

surface_weathering:
  A well developed cobble pavement surface of dolerite clasts; most surface clasts subrounded to rounded; moderate to strong surface staining and reddening; weak ventiforms; non pitted; some exfoliation into smaller angular fragments

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/15
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
soil_parent_matterial: A thin cover of cobbly to bouldery dolerite gravel over fractured bedrock
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Small patches of snow but no thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil but the soil site may be an ancient patterned ground crack
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5/6
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >35cm
description:
  Near an un-named peak to the SE of Turnstile Ridge at the head of the Hatherton Glacier (Pk 2421); a high dolerite remnant plateau surface approximately 400m above the edge of the Polar Plateau ice; the site is near the top of Pk 2421 on a flattish cobble/boulder surface, about 10m from a small escarpment in a very shallow hollow

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite outcrops on the high surfaces; this site being 400m above the Polar Plateau ice is probably an old surface that has remained unglaciated for a long period; the site forms part of an escarpment which drops 800m to the NE to the Hatherton Glacier; the site may be an old feldsenmeer surface that has been weathered

surface_weathering:
  A moderately developed cobble and small boulder pavement; some bedrock outcrops; boulders are well rounded and weakly ventiform; coarse grained dolerite strongly disintegration; strong surface oxidation;

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/15
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Dolerite slope detritus
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Small patches of snow but no thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Small 4.5m nets with very shallow troughs
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented ground
frozen_comment: 12cm
description:
  To the north of an un-named peak to the SE of Turnstile Ridge at the head of the Hatherton Glacier (Pk 2421); below a high dolerite remnant plateau surface on the NE escarpment slope; on a steep slope about 150m below the escarpment edge

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite outcrops on the high surfaces; the soils on the high surfaces show significant weathering and the slope deposits probably include weathered materials from the upper more stable surfaces

surface_weathering:
  A poorly developed pavement of mixed clast size; surface rocks are loose and easily dislodged but no evidence of significant down-slope movement; some clasts with salt encrustations on upper surfaces but most are on the lower surfaces; rocks are mainly subangular and moderately to strongly stained; some exfoliation and granular disintegration; thin patchy salt precipitations on some rock particles

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/15
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CP Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Young till from dolerite but with previously weathered accessions from higher and older surfaces
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Extensive snow but no thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Stagnant ice
frozen_comment: 6cm
description:
  To the north of an un-named peak (Pk 2421) to the SE of Turnstile Ridge and west of the head of the Hatherton Glacier on the floor of a big basin on a hummocky ice-cored young moraine surface; on the crest of a small moraine hummock

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite outcrops on the high surfaces; the soils on the high surfaces show significant weathering and the tills on the lower surfaces probably include much reworked and pre weathered material; the lower moraine surfaces and sequences in the basin are complex and probably represent accumulations of detritus from slow differential retreat of local ice tongues

patterned_ground:
  Hummocky patterned ground, 2-3m across with patterned ground cracks 50cm deep; the hummocky ground is indicative of stagnant ice just below the soil; the till merges into clear stagnant ice 15m to the north

surface_weathering:
  Dolerite boulders up to 2m and many between 75cm and 25cm; most rocks are angular but strongly stained; exfoliation and rock fracturing is common

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/15
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Small patches of snow but no thaw or soil moistening; most snow lying in patterned ground cracks
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Net polygons, 5-10m across with troughs up to 1m deep
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2/3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice cemented/ possibly over ice
frozen_comment: 30cm
description:
  To the north of an un-named peak (Pk 2421) to the SE of Turnstile Ridge and west of the head of the Hatherton Glacier on the moraine covered floor of a big basin; a valley floor hummocky moraine to the SE of the basin glacier

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite outcrops on the high surfaces; the soils on the high surfaces show significant weathering and the tills on the lower surfaces probably include much reworked and pre weathered material; the lower moraine surfaces of the basin are complex and probably represent accumulations from slow differential retreat of local ice tongues

soil_parent_matterial:
  Locally derived till from dolerite probably with previously weathered accessions from higher and older surfaces

surface_weathering:
  Dolerite boulders show distinctive staining; coarse grained clasts disaggregating; some thin diffuse salt coatings beneath some clasts; a moderately developed pavement with weakly developed ventiforms; moderate surface rounding

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/16
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Doleritic till and some wind sorted gravel
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Small patches of snow but no thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >90cm
description:
  To the north of an un-named peak (Pk 2421) to the SE of Turnstile Ridge and west of the head of the Hatherton Glacier on the moraine covered floor of a big basin; a valley floor moraine to the SE of the basin glacier, an old moraine surface approximately 4.5km NNE of Pk 2421; a slightly hollowed topography that may be partly wind sculptured

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite outcrops on the high surfaces; the soils on the high surfaces show significant weathering and the tills on the lower surfaces probably include much reworked and pre weathered material; on the northern slopes of the basin, the till deposits are probably old cirque moraines that may have been partly sorted by wind resulting in gravel dunes

surface_weathering:
  A moderately to strongly developed pebble and cobble pavement; strong surface oxidation and wind polish; exposed bedrock is strongly exfoliating; some salts beneath surface stones; most clasts subrounded

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/16
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Wind sorted predominantly dolerite pebbles and cobbles
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Small patches of snow but no thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >50cm
description:
  To the north of an un-named peak (Pk 2421) to the SE of Turnstile Ridge and west of the head of the Hatherton Glacier on the moraine covered floor of a big basin; a valley floor moraine to the SE of the basin glacier, an old wind modified surface approximately 4.5km NNE of Pk 2421; a ridge and hollow low dune like surface; 15m from site 433

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite outcrops on the high surfaces; the soils on the high surfaces show significant weathering and the tills on the lower surfaces probably include much reworked and pre weathered material; on the northern slopes of the basin, the till deposits are probably old cirque moraines; at this site the gravel may have been resorted by wind

surface_weathering:
  A strongly developed cobble and pebble pavement of predominantly subrounded clasts; strongly stained; many strongly polished;

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/16
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy bouldery gravel till from dolerite
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Small patches of snow but no thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen over ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 70cm
description:
  To the north of an un-named peak (Pk 2421) to the SE of Turnstile Ridge and west of the head of the Hatherton Glacier on the moraine covered floor of a big basin; a valley floor moraine to the SE of the basin glacier; a weakly undulating, moderately bouldery moraine surface with patches of bedrock protruding

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite outcrops on the high surfaces; the soils on the high surfaces show significant weathering and the tills on the lower surfaces probably include much reworked and pre weathered material; on the northern slopes of the basin, the till deposits are probably old cirque moraines; this moraine may be a little younger as indicated by weathering features

surface_weathering:
  A moderately developed gravel pavement with scattered cobbles and a few boulders; coarser grained dolerite strongly exfoliating; some finer clasts weakly to moderately pitted; some moderate ventiforms; some clasts strongly polished; some salts beneath surface stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/16
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NW
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy bouldery gravel till from dolerite; probably includes some pre-weathered materials
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Small patches of snow but no thaw or soil moistening; snow in patterned ground cracks
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Moderately developed nets with distinct mounds and 50cm troughs
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 20cm
description:
  To the north of an un-named peak (Pk 2421) to the SE of Turnstile Ridge and west of the head of the Hatherton Glacier on the moraine covered floor of a big basin; on younger valley floor moraine approximately 300m SW from the basin glacier; on a hummocky moraine surface

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite outcrops on the high surfaces; the soils on the high surfaces show significant weathering and the tills on the lower surfaces probably include much reworked and pre weathered material; on the valley floor, the moraine sequence is complex but older tills occur further from the ice margin

surface_weathering:
  Some crumbling of coarse grained clasts; boulders upstanding to 70cm; a mixture of strongly stained and non stained surface clasts; a moderately developed pebble pavement

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Doleritic drift probably formed from accumulation of surface exfoliate
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 20cm
description:
  The Darwin Mountains, just to the south of the Midnight Plateau on a high knoll, about 1km to the south of the Midnight Plateau ice; a weathered bouldery landscape which is probably weathered bedrock

geological_setting:
  Rock outcrops on the high ridge are Ferrar Dolerite; the ground surfaces have been exposed following retreat of ice from the Midnight Plateau; the till cover is intermittent and the bouldery dolerite surfaces may be old weathered feldsenmeer possibly with some dolerite till

soil_moisture_status:
  Scattered small snow patches; no thawing or soil moistening observed; patchy soil crusting suggests occasional surface moistening

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders are well rounded and strongly stained; coarser grained dolerite with minor staining; crumbling and granular disintegration is widespread; extensive joint plane fretting;

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SW
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Gravelly till from dolerite with a small amount of sandstone present
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Extensive snow patches but little ablation against rock surfaces and no thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad nets
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 11cm
description:
  The Darwin Mountains, just to the south of the Midnight Plateau; on a sloping surface adjacent to the edge of the Midnight Plateau ice and snow front;

geological_setting:
  Rock outcrops on the area are Ferrar Dolerite; the ground surfaces have been exposed following retreat of ice from the Midnight Plateau; close to the ice edge, the soils are less weathered but distinct successional surfaces marking ice retreat are not present; although close to the ice edge, there is distinct surface and soil weathering; the weathering is probably relict and not directly related to the present ice cover

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders are subangular but with well rounded edges; the pavement weakly to moderately developed with upstanding boulders to 60cm; clasts are moderately to strongly stained with strong polish on fine grained clasts; exfoliation of weathering skins is active; coarse grained clasts show distinct granular disintegration

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Gravelly till from dolerite with some sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Scattered snow patches but little ablation against rock surfaces; no thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Inactive broad nets;
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 29cm
description:
  The Darwin Mountains, just to the south of the Midnight Plateau; on a flat moderately bouldery surface to the south of the Midnight Plateau ice and snow front; approximately 100m to the south of site 439

geological_setting:
  Rock outcrops on the area are Ferrar Dolerite; the ground surfaces have been exposed following retreat of ice from the Midnight Plateau; close to the ice edge, the soils appear less weathered but distinct successional surfaces marking ice retreat are not present; with increasing distance away from the ice front, soil weathering increases; the weathering is probably relict and unrelated to the present ice cover; sandstone erratics may indicate the presence of till derived from the Hatherton Glacier rather than the Midnight Plateau

surface_weathering:
  Surface rocks are moderately rounded, strongly stained and moderately pitted; active surface exfoliation of weathering rhinds; sandstone clasts mainly unoxidised; a moderately developed pavement between bouldery clasts; some weak to moderate ventiforms

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Frozen till beneath consolidated snowpack
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Permanent snow cover
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Not observed
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 0cm
description:
  The Darwin Mountains, just to the south of the Midnight Plateau; the site is near site 338 but from beneath a consolidated snowpack; the snow forms a continuous cover merging into the Midnight Plateau ice field; the soil beneath 60cm of hard snow was examined to compare soil weathering from beneath the snow cover with that at site 338 beyond the snowpack

geological_setting:
  Rock outcrops on the area are Ferrar Dolerite; the ground surfaces have been exposed following retreat of ice from the Midnight Plateau; close to the ice edge, the soils appear less weathered but distinct successional surfaces marking ice retreat are not present; with increasing distance away from the ice front, soil weathering increases; the weathering is probably relict and unrelated to the present ice cover

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Till predominantly from dolerite with some sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: The surface is snow-free; no soil moistening observed
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry-frozen
frozen_comment: >45cm
description:
  The Darwin Mountains, just to the south of the Midnight Plateau; the site is in a slight hollow in an undulating broad ridge terrain; the hollow is a small depression 3-4m deep and may have been a previously wet hollow

geological_setting:
  Rock outcrops on the area are Ferrar Dolerite; the ground surfaces have been exposed following retreat of ice from the Midnight Plateau; close to the ice edge, the soils appear less weathered but distinct successional surfaces marking ice retreat are not present; with increasing distance away from the ice front, soil weathering increases

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders and cobbles are rounded and strongly stained; many are polished; exfoliation on many clasts; a well developed granular cobbly gravel pavement with subdued boulders; salts are present beneath some surface clasts

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: S
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Exfoliated doleritic debris over till
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Thin patchy snow; no thawing or soil moistening observed
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry-frozen
frozen_comment: >75cm
description:
  The Darwin Mountains, just to the south of the Midnight Plateau; the site is on the side of a ridge and about midslope; about 100m SW and downslope of site 441 on a long even slope

geological_setting:
  Rock outcrops on the area are Ferrar Dolerite; the ground surfaces have been exposed following retreat of ice from the Midnight Plateau; close to the ice edge, the soils appear less weathered but distinct successional surfaces marking ice retreat are not present; with increasing distance away from the ice front, soil weathering increases

surface_weathering:
  The surface is bouldery with clasts greater than 1m; there is strong rounding, cavernous weathering and exfoliation resulting in a subdued surface; the slope is slightly stepped in places suggesting some slow downslope movement of surface materials; the surface rocks are strongly stained; some fine grained rocks are strongly polished; the pavement between larger clasts is moderately developed; some coarse pitting

processing_notes:
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reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: S
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Till from predominantly dolerite with some sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Thin patchy snow; no thawing or soil moistening observed
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed; inactive residual mounds
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >85cm
description:
  The Darwin Mountains, just to the south of the Midnight Plateau; the site is on the side of an old moraine ridge with the ground surface falling away into a hollow beyond

geological_setting:
  Rock outcrops on the area are Ferrar Dolerite; the ground surfaces have been exposed following retreat of ice from the Midnight Plateau; close to the ice edge, the soils appear less weathered but distinct successional surfaces marking ice retreat are not present; with increasing distance away from the ice front, soil weathering increases

surface_weathering:
  A deflated surface with a well developed pebble and cobble pavement; occasional boulders up to 25cm above the surface; sandstone clasts reduced and case hardened; dolerite clasts well stained and common pitting; moderate ventiform development; strong surface polish; undersides show little weathering; salts common beneath many clasts

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: No
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NE
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Pale sandy till
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Thin patchy snow; no thawing or soil moistening observed
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Negligible weathering on the exposed steep face
previous_disturbance: Nil
description:
  The Darwin Mountains, just to the south of the Midnight Plateau; the site is on the upper edge of a steep and long precipitous slope; approximately 20m below a bouldery ridge crest

geological_setting:
  A small occurrence of pale coloured till is exposed on the upper part of a very steep slope; overlying this till is a deposit of till with granite erratics; the pale coloured till may be the basal portion of the granitic till or may represent an older till, similar to the Sirius Formation; the granitic till forms a distinct ridge across an older valley surface similar to those seen in the Asgard Range and represents an older up-valley ice advance; the age is probably similar to Asgard Till of the Dry Valleys

processing_notes:
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reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Till from dolerite and sandstone; possibly some reworked as sediment
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Small scattered snow patches but no thawing observed; the soil is moist below the surface
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >36cm
description:
  The Darwin Mountains, just to the south of the Midnight Plateau; the site is on the floor of a depression that has been formed by moraine deposition at the former mouth of a small valley; the basin floor is about 70m across and the sample site is near the centre

geological_setting:
  The rocks of the area are Ferrar Dolerite; the ground surfaces have been exposed after retreat of ice from the Midnight Plateau; subsequent up-valley ice invasion has deposited valley mouth granitic till; the basin floor may have previously been a wet salty hollow

surface_weathering:
  Fine grained clasts are moderately to strongly stained but larger coarse grained clasts have a grey and fresh appearance, typical of surface corrosion in wet and salty sites; some pitting of fine grained dolerite; a moderately to strongly developed pavement with some ventiforms

processing_notes:
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reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: Cs Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NW
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till from mixed dolerite, sandstone and granite sources
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Scattered small snow patches but no thaw or soil moistening observed
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Hummocky broad nets 10-15m diameter with mounds up to 1.5m
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 42cm
description:
  The Darwin Mountains, approximately 4km SSE of the Midnight Plateau ice sheet; on the lower slopes of a narrow valley and on the southern side; on sloping and hummocky very bouldery moraine topography towards the centre of a patterned ground unit

geological_setting:
  Local rocks are Ferrar Dolerite; the lower slopes to the south of Midnight Plateau have scattered sandstone erratics indicating a former higher ice level; at lower elevation distinct moraines and till deposits include granite erratics; these indicate up-valley ice and till movement as the nearest granitic rocks are further to the east; the till at this site represents a later up-valley ice event than that of the higher elevation granitic till near site 344

surface_weathering:
  Granite clasts are moderately disaggregated; sandstone and dolerite clasts are moderately to strongly stained and partly rounded on edges; upstanding boulders to 1.2m; some splitting and weathering rhind exfoliation; slight cavernous weathering of sandstone clasts and some case hardening

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/21
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Disaggregated and exfoliated dolerite accumulated in a rock cleft
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Extensive snow cover but no thaw observed or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil; bedrock blockfield probably formed by ice wedging
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >10cm
description:
  On the south side of the Hatherton Glacier in the Britannia Range; on a high altitude ridge to the west of Derrick Peak; an old bedrock feldsenmeer surface with an extensive boulder cover; the site is a cleft between bedrock boulder outcrops

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite caps the ridges and forms a prominent escarpment marking the edge of the Polar Plateau; a former more extensive Polar Ice Sheet would have extended in icefalls over the escarpment; the surfaces and the soils around the edge of the escarpment at Derrick Peak provide an indication of when the Polar Ice Sheet last extended across the escarpment and into the valleys of the Hatherton Glacier

surface_weathering:
  Bedrock tors extend up to 1m in a blockfield landscape formed by weathering along the joint planes in the dolerite; clasts have well rounded upper surfaces with weak sculptured forms; upper surfaces are strongly oxidised and weathering rhinds are exfoliating; at clifftop edges, rocks are strongly smoothed because of greatly increased windflows

processing_notes:
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reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/21
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Stony till predominantly from dolerite but with some sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Extensive snow cover but no thaw observed or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Very weakly developed
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4/5
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >75cm
description:
  On the south side of the Hatherton Glacier in the Britannia Range; a slight hollow in a saddle on the ridge to the northeast of Derrick Peak

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite caps the ridges and forms a prominent escarpment marking the edge of the Polar Plateau; a former more extensive Polar Ice Sheet would have extended in icefalls over the escarpment; the surfaces and the soils around the edge of the escarpment at Derrick Peak provide an indication of when the Polar Ice Sheet last extended across the escarpment and into the valleys of the Hatherton Glacier; till at this site includes some sandstone

surface_weathering:
  Coarse grained dolerite boulders well rounded and upstanding to 40cm; some cavernously weathered; staining is strong with active surface and weathering rhind exfoliation; fine grained rocks strongly stained and pitted; sandstone clasts stained and case hardened; some moderately developed ventiforms; salts beneath a few surface stones; a strongly developed pavement

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/22
authors: IBC, GGC
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: No snow cover or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
description:
  On the southeast side of the upper reaches of the Hatherton Glacier and to the SE of Turnstile Ridge; approximately 5.5km east of Pk 2421; on the floor of an old valley formed by former ice advances of the Polar Plateau; a hollow on the valley floor

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite caps the ridges and forms a prominent escarpment marking the edge of the Polar Plateau; a former more extensive Polar Ice Sheet would have extended in icefalls over the escarpment; the valleys on the SW side of the Hatherton Glacier appear to form an old landscape; moraine sequences reflect the advances from the Hatherton Glacier; some depressions in the landscape may have been former salty hollows

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1978/11/22
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CP Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Drift from dolerite and sandstone; posibly some sediment
soil_climate_zone: Inland Mountain
soil_moisture_status: No snow cover or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >20cm
description:
  On the southeast side of the upper reaches of the Hatherton Glacier and to the SE of Turnstile Ridge; approximately 5.5km east of Pk 2421; on the floor of an old valley formed by former ice advances of the Polar Plateau; a salty hollow on the valley floor; possibly a former wet site

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite caps the ridges and forms a prominent escarpment marking the edge of the Polar Plateau; a former more extensive Polar Ice Sheet would have extended in icefalls over the escarpment; the valleys on the SW side of the Hatherton Glacier appear to form an old landscape; moraine sequences reflect the advances from the Hatherton Glacier; some depressions in the landscape may have been former salty wet hollows

surface_weathering:
  A well developed surface pavement of small cobbles, pebbles and granular sand; coarser clasts are unstained; a soft soil surface, typical of that often associated with salty hollow soils; salts precipitated at the soil surface; many clasts have very dark coloured staining; well developed ventiforms; some sandstone clasts are whitish and disaggregating

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/12
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: Cs Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: S
soil_parent_matterial: Fragmented quartzitic rock with finer shaley sediments in bands in rock clefts
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Soil is dry but snow is active against rock surfaces in the region
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: The rock outcrops have strong surface staining
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2/3
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >38cm
description:
  The Enterprise Hills region of the Ellsworth Mountains; on a small un-named peak at the head of Bell Valley, approximately 6km north of Parrish Pk; the sample site is a vertical cleft near the top of the peak about 600m above ice levels

geological_setting:
  The Ellsworth Mountains comprise a thick sequence of folded metasedimentary rocks comprising limestones, conglomerates and quartzites dating to Precambrian; the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is believed to have fluctuated greatly in response to global sea level changes and evidence of these fluctuations should be present in the tills and soil weathering record

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/12
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: S
soil_parent_matterial: Till and slope debris from quartzitic rocks
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 15cm
description:
  The Enterprise Hills region of the Ellsworth Mountains; on a small un-named peak at the head of Bell Valley, approximately 6km north of Parrish Pk; the sample site is on a steep lower slope of a small peak about 550m above ice levels

geological_setting:
  The Ellsworth Mountains comprise a thick sequence of folded metasedimentary rocks comprising limestones, conglomerates and quartzites dating to Precambrian; the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is believed to have fluctuated greatly in response to global sea level changes and evidence of these fluctuations should be present in the tills and soil weathering record

soil_moisture_status:
  The ground surface has a 4cm snow cover which had partly thawed moistening the surface 2cm of the soil

surface_weathering:
  Surface rocks are angular pebbles to small boulders with many that have strong surface staining; some salts are present beneath surface stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/12
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Soil is dry but thin drifting snow is immediately thawing and moistening the surface rocks
biological_activity: Nil observed
surface_weathering: There is a concentration of surface pebbles which are unweathered
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Stagnant ice
frozen_comment: 10cm
description:
  The Enterprise Hills region of the Ellsworth Mountains; north of Parrish Peak on a lower valley surface of recently ablated till on a low hummocky moraine ridge

geological_setting:
  The Ellsworth Mountains comprise a thick sequence of folded metasedimentary rocks comprising limestones, conglomerates and quartzites dating to Precambrian; the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is believed to have fluctuated greatly in response to global sea level changes and evidence of these fluctuations should be present in the tills and soil weathering record; at this site, the till is very young and ice cored

soil_parent_matterial:
  Thin pebble gravel till over stagnant ice; the soil parent material is unweathered but a few altered clasts represent pre- weathered material incorporated into the glacial system

patterned_ground:
  Weakly developed nets with slight wedging and concentration of coarse fragments in patterned ground cracks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/12
authors: IBC, GGC
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
soil_parent_matterial: Young till from quartzitic metasedimentary rocks, some greenish and blackish
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Very weakly developed patterned ground
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 22cm
description:
  The Enterprise Hills region of the Ellsworth Mountains; north of Parrish Peak on a small valley bottom surface south of Seal Glacier; a surface which is topographically above and older than the lowest and youngest valley surface

geological_setting:
  The Ellsworth Mountains comprise a thick sequence of folded metasedimentary rocks comprising limestones, conglomerates and quartzites dating to Precambrian; the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is believed to have fluctuated greatly in response to global sea level changes and evidence of these fluctuations should be present in the tills and soil weathering record; at this site, the till represents deposits of the Union Glacier at a former level

soil_moisture_status:
  Scattered snow patches behind some boulders; surface horizons slightly moist from thaw of thin recent drift snow

surface_weathering:
  A moderately developed stone pavement; some slight staining on upper surfaces of boulders but nil beneath; some carbonate encrustations on a few surface clasts; some minor exfoliation and spalling

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/12
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NE
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till from quartzitic metasedimentary rocks, some greenish, blackish and brown
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Scattered snow patches but site is dry with no sign of soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >70cm
description:
  The Enterprise Hills region of the Ellsworth Mountains; north of Parrish Peak near the head of a small valley to the south of Seal Glacier; on a small knoll

geological_setting:
  The Ellsworth Mountains comprise a thick sequence of folded metasedimentary rocks comprising limestones, conglomerates and quartzites dating to Precambrian; the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is believed to have fluctuated greatly in response to global sea level changes and evidence of these fluctuations should be present in the tills and soil weathering record; at this site, the till represents deposits of the Union Glacier at a former level

surface_weathering:
  Some rounding of surface cobbles and boulders; a moderately developed pebble pavement; some surface disintegration and spalling and some wind scoops around larger boulders; upper surfaces distinctly stained; salts beneath some clasts and also calcium carbonate deposits

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/12
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NE
soil_parent_matterial: Till from quartzitic metasedimentary rocks, some greenish, blackish and brown
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
description:
  The Enterprise Hills region of the Ellsworth Mountains; north of Parrish Peak near the head of a small valley to the south of Seal Glacier; on a small knoll

geological_setting:
  The Ellsworth Mountains comprise a thick sequence of folded metasedimentary rocks comprising limestones, conglomerates and quartzites dating to Precambrian; the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is believed to have fluctuated greatly in response to global sea level changes and evidence of these fluctuations should be present in the tills and soil weathering record; at this site, the till represents deposits of the Union Glacier at a former level

soil_moisture_status:
  Scattered snow patches; this site has snow drifting across the surface which is thawing on warmed surface rocks; the site is probably more moist than 455 and this may be reflected in the chemistry

surface_weathering:
  Some rounding of surface cobbles and boulders; a moderately developed pebble pavement; some surface disintegration and spalling and some wind scoops around larger boulders; upper surfaces distinctly stained; salts beneath some clasts and also calcium carbonate deposits

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/12
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
soil_parent_matterial: Till from quartzitic metasedimentary rocks, some greenish, blackish and brown
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Scattered snow patches; this site is dry with no indications of snow thawing
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly expressed patterned ground nets
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >40cm
description:
  The Enterprise Hills region of the Ellsworth Mountains; north of Parrish Peak near the head of a small valley to the south of Seal Glacier; on a subdued moraine ridge at a lower elevation

geological_setting:
  The Ellsworth Mountains comprise a thick sequence of folded metasedimentary rocks comprising limestones, conglomerates and quartzites dating to Precambrian; the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is believed to have fluctuated greatly in response to global sea level changes and evidence of these fluctuations should be present in the tills and soil weathering record; at this site, the till represents deposits of the Union Glacier at a an intermediate level

surface_weathering:
  Some rounding of surface cobbles and boulders; a weakly developed pebble pavement; boulders more strongly stained on upper surfaces than lower; a few scattered salts beneath some surface stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/13
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SW
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Some scattered snow patches, mainly in patterned ground cracks; no moist soils observed
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly expressed broad nets; 20cm troughs
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 30cm
description:
  Marble Hills in the Heritage Range of the Ellsworth Mountains; approximately 4km north of Mt Fordell; on the southwest upper side slope of a broad gently sloping ridge which forms one side of a basin

geological_setting:
  The Marble Hills area comprise limestone/marble bedrocks with an intermittent cover of till with predominantly sandstone, quartzite, metasedimentary and some ferromagnesian rich rocks; till sequences are not clearly expressed and the till which is from a non local source, may have been reworked by local ice masses

soil_parent_matterial:
  Till of mixed lithology including sandstone, quartzite, and metamorphic; relatively fine textured and pulverulent with few boulders

surface_weathering:
  Light coloured surface rocks with only slight staining; small salt accumulations beneath some stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/13
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: W
soil_parent_matterial: Thin bouldery sandy to silty till of mixed lithology; marble; metasedimentary and felsitic rocks
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Local snow pockets but no obvious thawing or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3/4
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >30cm
description:
  Marble Hills in the Heritage Range of the Ellsworth Mountains; approximately 4km north of Mt Fordell; in a dominantly bedrock basin on the southeast side where there is a thin patchy till cover; a bouldery surface about 10m from a smooth bedrock exposure

geological_setting:
  The Marble Hills area comprise limestone/marble bedrocks with an intermittent cover of till with predominantly sandstone, quartzite, metasedimentary and some ferromagnesian rich rocks; till sequences are not clearly expressed and the till which is from a non local source, may have been reworked by local ice masses

surface_weathering:
  Felsitic rocks are well stained and some are crumbled; moderate rounding; salts beneath some surface stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/13
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy to silty till of mixed lithology; marble; metasedimentary and felsitic rocks
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Local snow pockets but no obvious thawing or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 55cm
description:
  Marble Hills in the Heritage Range of the Ellsworth Mountains; approximately 4km north of Mt Fordell; on a undulating high bench adjacent to the Horseshoe Valley ice sheet; on an undulating landscape about 10m from the crest of a broad ridge

geological_setting:
  The Marble Hills area comprise limestone/marble bedrocks with an intermittent cover of till with predominantly sandstone, quartzite, metasedimentary and some ferromagnesian rich rocks; till sequences are not clearly expressed and the till which is from a non local source, may have been reworked by local ice masses; the higher surfaces may have somewhat older till deposits

surface_weathering:
  Some crumbling and disaggregation of boulders; some darker coloured rocks are strongly disaggregated; a moderately developed pavement with reduction of larger clasts; distinct salt encrustations beneath many surface rocks; well developed surface staining

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/13
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy to silty till of mixed lithology; marble; metasedimentary and felsitic rocks
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Local snow pockets but no obvious thawing or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3/4
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >35cm
description:
  Marble Hills in the Heritage Range of the Ellsworth Mountains; approximately 4km north of Mt Fordell; on a high bench adjacent to the Horseshoe Valley ice sheet with patchy till cover on undulating marble hills landscape, a flat site on a gentle ridge step, partly surrounded by marble outcrop

geological_setting:
  The Marble Hills area comprise limestone/marble bedrocks with an intermittent cover of till with predominantly sandstone, quartzite, metasedimentary and some ferromagnesian rich rocks; till sequences are not clearly expressed and the till which is from a non local source, may have been reworked by local ice masses; the higher surfaces may have somewhat older till deposits

surface_weathering:
  Some crumbling and disaggregation of boulders; some darker coloured rocks are strongly disaggregated; a moderately developed pavement with reduction of larger clasts; distinct salt encrustations beneath many surface rocks; well developed surface staining

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/14
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
soil_parent_matterial: Fragmented quartzitic bedrock
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: No adjacent snow patches, site is dry with little sign of soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
description:
  Meyer Hills in the southeast of the Heritage Range, Beaudoin Peak, about 5m below the top on a steep slope

geological_setting:
  The Ellsworth Mountains comprise a thick sequence of folded metasedimentary rocks comprising limestones, conglomerates and quartzites dating to Precambrian; the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is believed to have fluctuated greatly in response to global sea level changes and evidence of these fluctuations should be present in the tills and soil weathering record; the Meyer Hills are predominantly quartzitic sandstones

surface_weathering:
  Bedrock exposures are strongly fractured and surface fragmental detritus is angular but strongly oxidised

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/14
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
soil_parent_matterial: Young till from greywacke sandstone/argillite with some schistose rocks
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Scattered snow patches but no moisture seen at the site; thaw ponds are present in the area
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Moderately developed broad nets with 25cm troughs, mostly snow filled
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 30cm
description:
  Meyer Hills in the southeast of the Heritage Range, approximately 2km north of Beaudoin Peak in a cirque-like valley bottom, a low moraine surface on the crest of a flattish knoll

geological_setting:
  The Ellsworth Mountains comprise a thick sequence of folded metasedimentary rocks comprising limestones, conglomerates and quartzites dating to Precambrian; the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is believed to have fluctuated greatly in response to global sea level changes and evidence of these fluctuations should be present in the tills and soil weathering record; the Meyer Hills are predominantly quartzitic sandstones; the tills are local valley glaciation deposits

surface_weathering:
  Some rock spalling and some splintering of argillites but negligible surface deflation, ventifaction or cavernous weathering; some salts and calcium carbonate coatings beneath some surface stones; some slight surface staining in places

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/14
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
soil_parent_matterial: Fragmented greywacke/argillite; fines possibly windblown
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: No moisture seen at the site
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Rock outcrops fragmented with patchy surface staining
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >15cm
description:
  Meyer Hills in the southeast of the Heritage Range, approximately 1.5km northeast of Beaudoin Peak on a narrow rocky ridge; a cleft in the ridge

geological_setting:
  The Ellsworth Mountains comprise a thick sequence of folded metasedimentary rocks comprising limestones, conglomerates and quartzites dating to Precambrian; the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is believed to have fluctuated greatly in response to global sea level changes and evidence of these fluctuations should be present in the tills and soil weathering record; the Meyer Hills are predominantly quartzitic sandstones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/14
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
soil_parent_matterial: Fragmented greywacke/argillite; fines possibly windblown
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: No moisture seen at the site
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Rock outcrops fragmented with patchy surface staining; carbonate encrustations on some rocks
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2
description:
  Meyer Hills in the southeast of the Heritage Range, approximately 1km northeast of Beaudoin Peak on a narrow rocky ridge; a cleft in the ridge

geological_setting:
  The Ellsworth Mountains comprise a thick sequence of folded metasedimentary rocks comprising limestones, conglomerates and quartzites dating to Precambrian; the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is believed to have fluctuated greatly in response to global sea level changes and evidence of these fluctuations should be present in the tills and soil weathering record; the Meyer Hills are predominantly quartzitic sandstones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/14
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
soil_parent_matterial: Argillitic till
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >20cm
description:
  Meyer Hills in the southeast of the Heritage Range, approximately 2km northeast of Beaudoin Peak on the valley floor till; a small hollow which is partly damp; this soil is unusual and appears to result perhaps from a redox reaction

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 414 characters]

soil_moisture_status:
  Soil in the lowest horizon is moist; it is likely that the site may have been more moist in the past

surface_weathering:
  Surface rocks are angular with a very tabular shaly form; there are many thick calcium carbonate coatings; the red subsoil at this site may represent some unusual weathering conditions

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering and salts examination
observation_date: 1979/12/14
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
soil_parent_matterial: Argillitic till with thick salt precipitation
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Surface rocks are angular with a thick incrustation of precipitated salts
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >15cm
description:
  Meyer Hills in the southeast of the Heritage Range, approximately 2km northeast of Beaudoin Peak on the valley floor till; a small 1 square meter area in a small slight hollow with a concentrated surface precipitation of salts; the area is close to site 466

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 414 characters]

soil_moisture_status:
  Soil in the lowest horizon is moist; it is likely that the site may have been more moist in the past

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Salts examination
observation_date: 1979/12/14
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
soil_parent_matterial: Argillitic and quartzofeldspathic till
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: No moisture presently seen at the site
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Salts precipitated at the the soil surface against rock edges
previous_disturbance: Nil
description:
  Meyer Hills in the southeast of the Heritage Range, approximately 2km northeast of Beaudoin Peak on the valley floor till; a surface salt efflorescence

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 414 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/16
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
soil_parent_matterial: Till with a mixed lithology including quartzite, conglomerate, sandstone, marble and some dolerite
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Some local extensive snow drift patches but the dry site with no soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad nets with troughs <20cm deep but non active
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2/3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 52cm
description:
  At the northern end of the Edson Hills on the southwest side of the Schanz Glacier and just north of Drake Icefall; a broad stepped ridge; below the ridge crest on an undulating step surface

geological_setting:
  The Ellsworth Mountains comprise a thick sequence of folded metasedimentary rocks comprising limestones, conglomerates and quartzites dating to Precambrian; the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is believed to have fluctuated greatly in response to global sea level changes and evidence of these fluctuations should be present in the tills and soil weathering record; the Edson Hills are predominantly metasedimentary rocks including marble

surface_weathering:
  Surface staining is variable according to rock type but generally weak to moderate; some rounding of larger clasts but most angular to subangular; upstanding boulders up to 2m; slight exfoliation of some sandstones; a weakly developed pavement; a few small salt patches beneath some stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/16
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NW
soil_parent_matterial: Till from quartzofeldspathic and metasedimentary rocks
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Some small snow drift patches 30m away but the dry site with no soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 55cm
description:
  At the northern end of the Edson Hills on the southwest side of the Schanz Glacier and just north of Drake Icefall; a broad stepped ridge and a high knoll on the ridge; the site is on the side of a marble ridge which has a thin overlying till cover

geological_setting:
  The Ellsworth Mountains comprise a thick sequence of folded metasedimentary rocks comprising limestones, conglomerates and quartzites dating to Precambrian; the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is believed to have fluctuated greatly in response to global sea level changes and evidence of these fluctuations should be present in the tills and soil weathering record; the Edson Hills are predominantly metasedimentary rocks including marble

surface_weathering:
  Most surface boulders flat lying and rounded with few upstanding; distinct surface staining; a well developed pebble pavement with some polish and varnish on sandstone clasts; some spalling of larger boulders; some clasts with a distinct oxidised rhind

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/17
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: S
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Isolated snow pockets but no adjacent snow or soil moisture
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: No patterned ground but some minor indication of slope creep
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >25cm
description:
  In the Edson Hills on the southwest side of the Schanz Glacier; about 1km southwest of Lester Peak; the site is about 30m below the top of a limestone knoll outcrop on an upper side slope, where a patchy till cover overlies marble bedrock

geological_setting:
  The Ellsworth Mountains comprise a thick sequence of folded metasedimentary rocks comprising limestones, conglomerates and quartzites dating to Precambrian; the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is believed to have fluctuated greatly in response to global sea level changes and evidence of these fluctuations should be present in the tills and soil weathering record; the Edson Hills are predominantly metasedimentary rocks including marble; tills are more consistent on lower slopes but patchy on upper slopes

soil_parent_matterial:
  Thin till over partly weathered phyllitic marble; the till includes dolerite, sandstone, quartzite, and marble

surface_weathering:
  Dolerite clasts are well stained and have some small pits; polish and varnish distinct on some fine grained rocks; some phyllitic rocks well oxidised; some exfoliation of weathering rhinds

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/17
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
soil_parent_matterial: Thin weathering debris in a rock cleft
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Isolated snow pockets but no adjacent snow or soil moisture
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: No patterned ground but some minor indication of slope creep
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2/3
description:
  In the Edson Hills on the southwest side of the Schanz Glacier; about 1km southwest of Lester Peak; the site is just below a rocky ridge where some fines have accumulated in cracks

geological_setting:
  The Ellsworth Mountains comprise a thick sequence of folded metasedimentary rocks comprising limestones, conglomerates and quartzites dating to Precambrian; the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is believed to have fluctuated greatly in response to global sea level changes and evidence of these fluctuations should be present in the tills and soil weathering record; the Edson Hills are predominantly metasedimentary rocks including marble

surface_weathering:
  Dolerite clasts are well stained and have some small pits; polish and varnish distinct on some fine grained rocks; some phyllitic rocks well oxidised; some exfoliation of weathering rhinds

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1979/12/17
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NE
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till possibly overlying an older till
soil_climate_zone: Inland/Coastal Mountain
soil_moisture_status: A dry site with no snow drift patches or moisture seen
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >70cm
description:
  In the Edson Hills on the southwest side of the Schanz Glacier; about 1.5km south of Lester Peak; the site is on an old moraine loop on the edge of a high flattish knoll

geological_setting:
  The Ellsworth Mountains comprise a thick sequence of folded metasedimentary rocks comprising limestones, conglomerates and quartzites dating to Precambrian; the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is believed to have fluctuated greatly in response to global sea level changes and evidence of these fluctuations should be present in the tills and soil weathering record; the Edson Hills are predominantly metasedimentary rocks including marble; lower slopes have a more consistent till cover

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders mainly subangular but with some stain mainly on upper sides; dolerite well stained and a few with weak pitting; boulders upstanding and not reduced; some exfoliation of weathering rhinds; salts beneath some surface rocks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1981/11/13
authors: J Pickard
photo_record: B&W Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
description: Club Lake; an elongate moraine draped on a ridge; on the crest of a ridge
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
geological_setting: Bouldery till from fine grained basement rocks
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till with fines
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; patchy snow cover
patterned_ground: Nil
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders rounded with distinct fragmentation; and reduction; a weakly developed pavement; some ventiforms


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1981/11/17
authors: J Pickard
photo_record: B&W Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 2o
soil_parent_matterial: Very bouldery till
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; patchy snow cover
surface_weathering: Boulders fresh with little surface weathering
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Gamma Cove; a moraine ridge with distinct knolls; on a lower bench at the foot of a steep moraine ridge


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1981/11/11
authors: J Pickard
photo_record: B&W Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
description: Heidemann Bay ridge; an elongate transverse ridge, at the top of the ridge
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
geological_setting: Bouldery till; dominantly crystalline rocks; possibly reworked beach sediments
soil_parent_matterial: Very bouldery gravel with lenses of finer materials
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; patchy snow cover
patterned_ground: Nil
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders are rounded and show granular disintegration; the inter-bolder surface is granular gravel


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/02
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Volcanic drift material with some pale coloured fines, possibly wind blown accumulation
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic xerous; site presently dry but soils become moist after summer snowfall
biological_activity: Occasional yellow lichen patches and a few scattered moss patches
patterned_ground: Nil at site
previous_disturbance: Extensive foot traffic disturbance
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  Southern Hut Point Peninsula near Pram Point, Scott Base; approximately 250m NW of Scott Base on an uneven sloping surface

geological_setting:
  The rocks of the area are McMurdo Volcanics, predominantly scoria; the surface materials are thin scoria drift material with some accessions of sedimentary and crystalline rocks derived via glacial activity from the mainland; finer textured accumulations may be windblown dust

surface_weathering:
  Some slight polish on finer grained volcanic rocks; carbonate coatings on rock undersides; some light coloured fine accumulations

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1981/11/11
authors: J Pickard
photo_record: B&W Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
description: Perched Rock; transverse moraine ridge; draped on the crest of a ridge; on a ridge crest
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
geological_setting: Extensive till surface with large boulders; mainly basement rocks
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel till
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; small snow patches present
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Boulders moderately upstanding; partly rounded; some minor pitting; some cavernous weathering;
processing_notes:
  Changed site key from 483000 to 483001 to distingush from 483 (1983), IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/02
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Volcanic drift material with some pale coloured fines,
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic xerous; site presently dry but soils become moist after summer snowfall
biological_activity: Occasional yellow lichen patches and a few scattered moss patches
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad shallow nets
surface_weathering: Carbonate coatings on rock undersides; some light coloured fine accumulations
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  Southern Hut Point Peninsula approximately 800m west of Scott Base and north of the Scott Base-McMurdo road; on an undisturbed surface above the road to the aerial farm

geological_setting:
  The rocks of the area are McMurdo Volcanics, predominantly scoria; the surface materials are thin scoria drift material with some accessions of sedimentary and crystalline rocks derived via glacial activity from the mainland; finer textured accumulations may be windblown dust

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Salts examination
observation_date: 1983/01/02
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Volcanic drift material with some pale coloured fines,
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic xerous; the site is moist from thawing of a remnant snow patch
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  Southern Hut Point Peninsula approximately 850m west of Scott Base and north of the Scott Base-McMurdo road; on an undisturbed surface; at the edge of a shallow gully or nivation cirque exposed by recent snow pack retreat

geological_setting:
  The rocks of the area are McMurdo Volcanics, predominantly scoria; the surface materials are thin scoria drift material with some accessions of sedimentary and crystalline rocks derived via glacial activity from the mainland; finer textured accumulations may be windblown dust; some areas of the landscape appear to have been recently exposed by snowpack retreat

surface_weathering:
  The ground surface has a fresh and unweathered appearance suggesting recent exposure following loss of 'permanent' snow patches; patchy surface salt precipitations

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/02
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SW
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Volcanic drift material; possibly includes some wind- blown fines
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic xerous; the site is dry
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad nets
previous_disturbance: Some local construction activity
soil_weathering: 1
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Southern Hut Point Peninsula approximately 1km northwest of Scott Base and .5km south of Crater Hill; on a gently sloping terrace like surface north of the Scott Base-McMurdo road

geological_setting:
  The rocks of the area are McMurdo Volcanics, predominantly scoria; the surface materials are thin scoria drift material with some accessions of sedimentary and crystalline rocks derived via glacial activity from the mainland

surface_weathering:
  A moderately bouldery surface with a weakly developed pavement; some carbonate coatings beneath surface clasts


reason: Soil characterisation
observation_date: 1983/01/06
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W, CS&P Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NW
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Ice-rich young till from previously altered tuffs and lavas
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous, recent widespread snowfall with some soil moistening due to thawing
biological_activity: Nil observed
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 10cm
description:
  Approximately 1km NE of Mt Brooke, on the lower slopes of a tongue of moraine formed by retreat of an alpine glacier on the north slopes of Mt Brooke

geological_setting:
  Outcropping rocks on Mt Brooke include Jurassic tuffs and lavas and Ferrar Dolerite, the drift mantle is intermittent and thin or absent in places; till ranges in age from young to very old; young till on lower slopes of Mt Brooke comprises previously weathered rock materials

surface_weathering:
  The surface is bouldery; rocks are unstained and mainly angular but some softer rocks are partly rounded and abraded; many rocks are altered from pre-weathering; there are thin white salt efflorescences on the surface of and beneath some stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/07
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W, CS&P Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Till derived from dolerite, tuff and sandstones
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous, recent widespread snowfall but negligible thawing
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Moderately developed broad nets with 50cm deep troughs
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented;(sampl thawed,high ice pct lost)
frozen_comment: 20cm
description:
  2 km N of Mt Brooke on the floor of an old undulating glacially eroded valley; the surface is uneven with a broad hummock and swale topography with small scattered snowbanks; the site was in a patterned ground crack

geological_setting:
  Outcropping rocks on Mt Brooke and adjacent hills include Jurassic tuffs and lavas, Ferrar Dolerite and Beacon Group sediments; the drift mantle on the valley floor is continuous but appears to vary in weathering and age from place to place; local age variations may result from differential ablation

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders <30cm and are mainly dolerite; rock surfaces are moderately oxidised and stained with coarser rocks showing some exfoliation and finer grained rocks some slight surface pitting; some rounding due to wind abrasion; moderately developed pebble pavement

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/07
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W, CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
soil_parent_matterial: Till derived from dolerite, tuff and sandstones
soil_climate_zone: central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous, recent widespread 3.5cm snowfall but negligible thawing
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Well developed 10-15m nets with raised centres and troughs up to 1m deep
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 40cm
description:
  2km N of Mt Brooke on the floor of an old undulating glacially eroded valley; the surface is uneven with a broad hummock and swale topography with small scattered snowbanks; the site is about 100m W of site 488, on an undulating surface that is about 20m above the valley floor; the site is on the upper edge of a small hummock

geological_setting:
  Outcropping rocks on Mt Brooke and adjacent hills include Jurassic tuffs and lavas, Ferrar Dolerite and Beacon Group sediments; the drift mantle on the valley floor is continuous but appears to vary in weathering and age from place to place; on this slightly higher surface, soil development appears greater than in soil 488

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders are up to 40cm across and are moderately stained and oxidised and show some exfoliation and pitting on upper surfaces; salt weathering is occurring beneath surface stones where they are in contact with the soil

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil characterisation
observation_date: 1983/01/08
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W, CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NW
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Till derived from dolerite, tuff and sandstones
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed inactive 10-15m nets with 50cm troughs
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >80cm
description:
  2 km NEN of Mt Brooke on an elevated undulating bench- like surface, about 150m above the main valley floor; about 30m from a scarp that forms part of the valley side;

geological_setting:
  Outcropping rocks on Mt Brooke and adjacent hills include Jurassic tuffs and lavas, Ferrar Dolerite and Beacon Group sediments; the drift mantle is widespread on this surface which in places has ridge and swale features possibly formed by wind erosion; bedrock outcrops on higher parts of the surface to the east

soil_moisture_status:
  Xerous, recent widespread 3cm snowfall with some thawing on the surfaces of larger rocks protruding from the snow; soil is dry

surface_weathering:
  Surface dolerite boulders are moderately to strongly stained and many show distinctive moderately developed pitting on upper surfaces; some exfoliation of surface boulders; some larger boulders disaggregated to rubble piles; salts occur beneath some surface stones forming distinct crusts

processing_notes:
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reason: Weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/08
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
description: 500m NE of Mt Brooke on a small bench on a broad sloping ridge surface
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Partly disaggregated volcanic rock
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous, some a thawing of recent snowfall on the north-facing sloping surfaces
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 3cm
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
geological_setting:
  Outcropping rocks on Mt Brooke include Jurassic tuffs and lavas, Ferrar Dolerite and Beacon Group sediments; at the site, there is a thin regolith of disaggregated volcanic bedrock and siliceous geodes are scattered about the surface

surface_weathering:
  Bedrock is partly crumbled forming a thin regolith; hard residual siliceous geodes lying at the surface are sometimes underlain by a thin reddish oxidised layer


reason: Soil characterisation
observation_date: 1983/01/09
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W & CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
soil_parent_matterial: Weathered dolerite bedrock
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous, a patchy cover of snow from a recent fall but little thawing
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5
frozen_type: Dry frozen
description:
  Approximately 5km NNE of Mt Brooke, on a broad undulating ridge surface with outcrops of dolerite and Beacon Group sediments; the surface is elevated and is dominated by bedrock exposures; the site is a small flattish bench, or old felsenmeer surface, formed by a dolerite sill

geological_setting:
  Dolerite sills and dykes intrude through Beacon Group sediments; the surface is apparently devoid of till deposits although scattered erratics of hard pitted dolerite overly sandstone in places; on this old surface, there is a patchy regolith largely comprising shallow deposits of fragmental bedrock;

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders show some rounding and wind abrasion; surface exfoliation is strongly developed on coarser grained dolerite clasts; fine grained dolerite clasts are polished, strongly stained and well pitted; where bedrock is at the surface, dolerite shows strong spheroidal weathering with as much as 30cm removed by erosion; where fragmental material has accumulated in hollows, a stone pavement is strongly developed

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil characterisation
observation_date: 1983/01/10
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W & CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Till derived from dolerite and Beacon Group sediments
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous, a patchy cover of snow from a recent fall but little thawing
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Subdued and inactive
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: 100> cm
description:
  Approximately 5km NE of Mt Brooke and 2km W of the Cambridge Glacier; the surface is part of a complex, broad east-sloping undulating surface formed through retreat of the Cambridge Glacier; in many places the surface is devoid of cover deposits with regolith materials probably being removed by wind erosion; till occurs in patches possibly as a result of differential ice/snow retreat or local ice accumulations; the site is on an older, slightly higher elevation till deposit

geological_setting:
  Dolerite is extensive on nearby ridges; Beacon Group sandstones outcrop widely on the surface and in places is covered with thin residual doleritic drift and thicker till deposits; wind erosion is severe with large wind ripples formed in places

surface_weathering:
  Well developed desert pavement with ventifacts and few upstanding boulders; dolerite boulders moderately to strongly stained and polished and well pitted; salts occur beneath surface stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil characterisation
observation_date: 1983/01/11
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W Pro & CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Frost accumulated fragmented dolerite
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous, extensive cover of snow but no thawing
biological_activity: Nil observed
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice cemented
frozen_comment: 20cm
description:
  On the SW part of the Elkhorn Ridge and at the Northern end of a very broad, upland, strongly undulating plateau which was probably part of a more enlarged Cambridge Glacier ice-sheet surface; the upland surface has a mammillated overridden appearance with many small snow/ice accumulations behaving as local glaciers; the site is on an old uneven bouldery felsenmeer surface

geological_setting:
  Dolerite sills are extensive on the upper plateau and ridge surfaces and cap most of the ridges; the surface was probably overridden by a previously expanded Polar Plateau ice sheet and has become exposed with it's subsequent retreat; extensive rubbly deposits of doleritic material are probably felsenmeer deposits formed by prolonged ice wedging processes

surface_weathering:
  Many upstanding surface boulders are strongly and deeply pitted on their upper surfaces; boulder are extensive at the surface and vary from subangular to subrounded and weakly to strongly stained

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil characterisation
observation_date: 1983/01/12
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W & CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Siliceous sands from Beacon Group sediments, with scattered residual dolerite at the surface
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >25cm
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Approximately 11km WSW of Larsen Crag, on an extensive bench-like surface at the head of Northwind Glacier valley; the site is a moist salty depression with an outcrop of sandstone; there are extensive surface salt encrustations on an uneven surface

geological_setting:
  Dolerite and Beacon Group sandstones outcrop in the area; dolerite is extensive on the bench surface and outcrops with a regolith of bouldery felsenmeer or thin patchy drift; where the drift mantle has been removed or is thin, sandstone outcrops

soil_moisture_status:
  Xerous to subxerous; in the salty hollow, the soils were moist to the surface with free water at 25cm; the hollow is partially snow-filled and water is probably derived from thawing of this snow

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders in the hollow are commonly crumbly but unoxidised; at the edge of the hollow where the soil is dry, they are stained and well oxidised; salt precipitations at the surface vary from thin to thick encrustations


reason: Weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/12
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W & CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Lag gravel derived from weathering dolerite
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous; the surface is dry with no snow cover
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >10cm
description:
  Approximately 11km WSW of Larsen Crag, on an extensive bench-like surface at the head of Northwind Glacier valley; the site is in the middle of a very bouldery surface

geological_setting:
  Dolerite boulders, ranging up to 1.5m high, are extensive on the surface which is in part formed from weathered felsenmeer and also from locally derived doleritic till; the surface has been subject to considerable abrasion and weathering; exfoliation of oxidised surfaces, along with abrasion, has resulted in marked rounding of surface boulders; fragmental weathered material has accumulated in some sheltered sites, commonly the lee of large boulders, forming deposits of granular pebbly gravel

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders are rounded, wind abraded and partly sculptured; some fine grained dolerite clasts are extensively pitted and polished; larger surface boulders are partially disaggregated by frost shattering

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil characterisation
observation_date: 1983/01/12
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W & CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NE
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Till derived from dolerite and Beacon Group sediments with occasional granite boulders
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
biological_activity: Occasional patches of yellow lichen in exfoliation cracks
patterned_ground: Moderately developed nets; weakly active; 30cm deep snow- filled borders
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 35cm
description:
  Approximately 8.5km WSW of Larsen Crag, on a moraine mound on the W side of a broad shallow valley, possibly formed by retreat of an earlier inland invasion of ice from the Northwind glacier

geological_setting:
  Northwind Glacier is a southwestward extension of the Fry Glacier and formerly occupied most of the Northwind Valley; within Northwind Valley, dolerite and Beacon group sediments outcrop but there are no known granites; valley floor tills contain appreciable amounts of granite, including the distinctive pink coloured Irizar, indicating a source outside the immediate area

soil_moisture_status:
  Xerous; numerous small pockets of snow with some thawing and moistening of the soil surface in places

surface_weathering:
  A moderately deflated pebble pavement surface with few upstanding boulders; harder dolerite boulders rounded to subrounded and wind faceted with wind ripples on sublevel surfaces; moderately to strongly stained and polished; coarse dolerite boulders disaggregated; granite erratics crumbling and disaggregating above ground level but firmer below; salts beneath some stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil characterisation
observation_date: 1983/01/13
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & B&W Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Partly weathered, disaggregating coarse grained dolerite bedrock
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous; occasional pockets of snow but no thawing
biological_activity: Occasional patches of yellow lichen in exfoliation cracks
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >18cm
description:
  4.5km W of the western end of the Northwind Glacier on a broad sloping uneven ridge surface formed by an outcrop of dolerite; in a slight hollow on a small step on the ridge between two dolerite knolls

geological_setting:
  Dolerite sills are extensive and outcrop, particularly on steeper and higher elevation surfaces; till is absent and weathered regolith is very patchy, occurring mainly in hollows or between upstanding bedrock outcrops

surface_weathering:
  Bedrock dolerite outcrops have a weak tor-like form protruding up to 1m above the overall ground surface; in situ and disaggregated clasts are mainly rounded through exfoliation of weathering skins and wind abrasion; coarser grained dolerite shows some weakly developed cavernous weathering; surface oxidation and staining are well developed; the weathering depth is uneven and is partly spheroidal, extending down cracks between boulders exposed at the surface

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil characterisation
observation_date: 1983/01/13
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W & CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Thin residual dolerite drift over sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous; no local snow patches but the soil is moist
biological_activity: Occasional patches of yellow lichen in exfoliation cracks
patterned_ground: Poorly defined old nets, currently probably inactive
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 40cm
description:
  8.5km SW of the western end of the Northwind Glacier on an extensive bench-like or terrace surface; the surface is extremely variable with patches of dolerite felsenmeer, strongly oxidised and less oxidised areas, patterned and non-patterned ground etc.

geological_setting:
  Dolerite and Beacon Group sediments occur locally and the regolith mantle appears to be from local materials; surface weathering features suggest a considerable age for the surface but the soil is dominantly pale coloured;

surface_weathering:
  A well developed pavement with rounded surface dolerite cobbles and pebbles; staining ranges from strong to weak depending on the degree of abrasion; some pitted rocks are present; exfoliation skins on surface clasts are well developed; a well developed oxidation rind is present beneath some surface clasts

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil characterisation
observation_date: 1983/01/13
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W & CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Dolerite and sandstone drift
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous; no local snow patches but the soil is moist below 7cm
biological_activity: Occasional patches of yellow lichen in exfoliation cracks
patterned_ground: Poorly defined old nets, currently probably inactive
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 30
description:
  8.5km SW of the western end of the Northwind Glacier on an extensive bench-like or terrace surface; the surface is extremely variable with patches of dolerite felsenmeer, strongly oxidised and less oxidised areas, patterned and non-patterned ground etc.; the site is 2m away from site 499

geological_setting:
  Dolerite and Beacon Group sediments occur locally and the regolith mantle appears to be from local materials; this profile is browner that soil 499 and possibly has less sandstone/more dolerite in the parent material

surface_weathering:
  A well developed pavement with rounded surface dolerite cobbles and pebbles; some weak to moderately ventiform clasts, unstained on up-wind sides and well stained on down-wind sides; staining ranges from strong to weak depending on the degree of abrasion; some pitted rocks are present; exfoliation skins on surface clasts are well developed; a well developed oxidation rind is present beneath some surface clasts

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil characterisation
observation_date: 1983/01/14
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W & CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Fluvially reworked doleritic till
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous to subxerous; the soil is >1m above an unfrozen pond and is moist throughout
biological_activity: Algae are absent in this highly saline pond but are present in an adjacent less saline lake
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >30cm
description:
  Approximately 1km from the SW end of the Northwind Glacier, in a deep landscape depression; the site is close to a small saline pond which has extensive salt encrustations immediately adjacent to, and below the water line; the site is midway between the edge of the pond and the upper level of the salt encrusted surface; the depression (>1km across) is a glacially formed hole similar to that found in other places in Antarctica

geological_setting:
  The large depression formed in dolerite has possibly formed through glacial scour by ice coming from a previously enlarged Polar Plateau Ice Sheet; there have been subsequent ice advances from NE filling much of the Northwind Valley; the latest ice advances have retreated down valley leaving successively younger surfaces; the lower altitude surfaces of the Northwind Valley have deposits of young till that have been proglacially reworked as well as freshly exposed, little fractured bedrock

surface_weathering:
  Salt encrustations are thick close to the water level covering boulders as well as fine soil material; salt encrusted rocks are unstained but beyond the saline zone, there is weak staining on surface rocks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil characterisation
observation_date: 1983/01/14
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W & CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till from dolerite, granite and sandstone
soil_climate_zone: central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous; no snow patches, snow banks or seepage
biological_activity: Algae are absent in this highly saline pond but are present in an adjacent less saline lake
patterned_ground: Very weakly developed shallow, poorly demarcated large nets
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 40cm
description:
  Approximately 1km W of the SW end of the Northwind Glacier; on the W side of a knoll of moraine above the Northwind glacier on a flattish but uneven surface; the surface is a till covered footslope of the Elkhorn Ridge and is dotted with numerous large (>3m) pink granite boulders

geological_setting:
  The till sheet, composed of dolerite sandstone and granitic boulders, is distinguished by the abundant occurrence of pink coloured granite, thought to be Irizar Granite which occurs 30km to the E; the granite has been transported into the Northwind Valley from a previously enlarged Fry Glacier, possibly as a result of a former West Antarctic Ice Sheet expansion

surface_weathering:
  Moderate staining on surface boulders, and distinct rounding, abrasion and ventifaction; some exfoliation of weathering rinds; some granite showing distinct crumbling and disaggregation; pebble pavement between larger upstanding boulders is moderately developed; small salt accumulations beneath some stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil characterisation
observation_date: 1983/01/14
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W & CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: S
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Predominantly doleritic till with some granite and minor sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous; no snow patches, snow banks or seepage
biological_activity: Algae are absent in this highly saline pond but are present in an adjacent less saline lake
patterned_ground: Well developed nets with shallow but distinct borders and much sand in the troughs
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 25cm
description:
  Approximately 2km W of the SW end of the Northwind Glacier; an even, bouldery sloping moraine surface formed below a broad cirque basin

geological_setting:
  The till has originated from a formerly more extensive cirque glacier at the SW end of Elkhorn Ridge; soil weathering is less advanced than in soil 502, indicating that glacial retreat occurred later than at site 502; the till contains few large boulders of pink Irizar Granite but has much fine granular pink feldspar; an expanded Northwind Glacier may have extended into the cirque basin, depositing the granitic till, which has subsequently been reworked by the local cirque head glacier

surface_weathering:
  Boulders are dominantly subangular and mostly between 40-100cm; there is some slight rounding moderate surface staining, and exfoliation of weathering rinds but most clasts are weakly stained and abraded; the pavement is poorly developed

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil characterisation
observation_date: 1983/01/15
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W & CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NE
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till from dolerite, granite and sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
biological_activity: A few small occurrences of lichens in cracks of rocks
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 30 cm
description:
  On the western side of the upper portion of the valley floor surface of the Northwind Valley, 7.5km west of Larsen Crag; a broad, slightly undulating, moderately weathered till-covered surface

geological_setting:
  The surface is formed below a prominent bench that encircles the head of the valley; the till is dominated by dolerite but contains some pink granite, which suggests a down-valley source or an early up-valley ice invasion, possibly from a previously enlarged Fry Glacier or a former West Antarctic Ice Sheet expansion

soil_moisture_status:
  Xerous; no snow patches, snow banks or seepage but the lower 15cm of the soil above the frozen ground is moist

patterned_ground:
  Moderately developed patterned ground across the surface but the surface expression is somewhat subdued with cracks less than 50cm deep

surface_weathering:
  Occasional upstanding boulders and these have weak cavernous weathering; most surface boulders are small, (250-750mm) flattened, subrounded abraded and stained; minor pitting occurs on fine grained dolerite rocks; the pavement surface is moderately developed;

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil characterisation
observation_date: 1983/01/15
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W & CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NE
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till from dolerite, granite and sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
biological_activity: A few small occurrences of lichens in cracks of rocks
patterned_ground: Weakly developed nets with shallow 20-30cm troughs; appears to be inactive
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 19cm
description:
  On the western side of the upper portion of the valley floor surface of the Northwind Valley, 7.5km west of Larsen Crag; a surface which is about 40m above that of site 504 and .5km to the SW; this surface appears to be older and more weathered than the surface below

geological_setting:
  The surface is a small shelf and is formed below a prominent bench that encircles the head of the valley; till covers the surface and is dominated by coarse and fine grained dolerite but some fragments of pink granite are present, which suggests a down-valley source or an early up-valley ice invasion, possibly from a previously enlarged Fry Glacier or a former West Antarctic Ice Sheet expansion

soil_moisture_status:
  Xerous; no snow patches, snow banks or seepage nearby but the lower horizons above the permafrost are slightly moist

surface_weathering:
  A well developed desert pavement with rounded, flattened, moderately pitted and strongly stained surface stones; few upstanding boulders which show marked sculpturing and cavernous weathering; salts beneath some surface stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/15
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W & CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: S
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Doleritic till and local drift
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
biological_activity: Occasional lichens on rocks
patterned_ground: Very weakly developed
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 5cm
description:
  On the western side of the Northwind Valley on a narrow flattish bench formed by a dolerite sill, 8.5km west of Larsen Crag;

geological_setting:
  Dolerite outcrops on slopes above and below the bench; the drift mantle is derived mainly from dolerite which is probably locally derived, however there are occasional pale coarse-grained granite erratics on the surface and pink coloured feldspar fragments within the soil, which again suggests the possibility of some older till from a down-valley source

soil_moisture_status:
  Xerous; small snow patches on adjacent slopes and possibly some moisture seepage, as the soil is frozen at 5cm from the surface

surface_weathering:
  The surface has numerous small boulders which are rounded, well faceted and strongly stained; the pavement is moderately developed

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: B&W & CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Disaggregated dolerite bedrock
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous; scattered small snow patches on adjacent slopes but no indications of soil moistening
biological_activity: Occasional yellow lichen observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 20cm
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Approximately 2km WSW of Battleship Promontory; a very old dolerite surface with dolerite tors and rounded spheroidal weathering; an undulating surface with small smooth hollows; the site is on the upper side of a hollow where crumbled bedrock outcrops

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite forms extensive sills; the surface is an old over-ridden landscape with a mammillated topography;

surface_weathering:
  Dolerite is strongly stained; rock surfaces are exfoliating and rounded; some salts present; fine grained dolerite is strongly pitted; weakly developed pavement


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Granular gravel accumulated from exfoliation of dolerite
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous; scattered small snow patches on adjacent slopes; the soil is slightly moist
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Approximately 2km WSW of Battleship Promontory; a very old dolerite surface with dolerite tors and rounded spheroidal weathering; an undulating surface with small smooth hollows; the site is on the floor of a hollow

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite forms extensive sills; the surface is an old over-ridden landscape with a mammillated topography;

surface_weathering:
  Dolerite is strongly stained; rock surfaces are exfoliating and rounded; some surface salts present; a fine pebble pavement


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NW
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Doleritic till, probably partly pre-weathered
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: The site is dry with no adjacent snow patches
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed nets with <20cm troughs
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 25cm
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Approximately 4.5km SW of Battleship Promontory and 150m north of an un-named ice tongue; a young moraine surface; an even slope 50m from a ridge crest

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite forms extensive sills and the till appears to be derived from the local dolerite; with increasing distance from the ice front, soil weathering increases

surface_weathering:
  Some boulders up to 1.5m but most 20-40cm; some slight ventifaction; weak polish and weak to moderate staining; a moderately developed pavement; salts beneath some surface clasts


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SW
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Doleritic till
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Sole small local snow patches; the site is dry with no sign of soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly to moderately developed nets with troughs up to 30cm deep
previous_disturbance: Nil
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Approximately 4km SW of Battleship Promontory and 400m north of an un-named ice tongue; an older moraine surface; a smooth but gently undulating surface

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite forms extensive sills and the till appears to be derived from the local dolerite; with increasing distance from the ice front, soil weathering increases; a moraine surface clearly older than that for soil 519

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders partly rounded; moderately stained; a moderately developed pebble pavement; weakly ventiform; salts beneath some surface stones


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Doleritic till with some minor sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Some small local snow patches; the site is dry with no sign of soil moistening
biological_activity: Some lichen patches on rock surfaces
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad shallow nets
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 30cm
description:
  Approximately 3km WSW of Battleship Promontory and 1km north of an un-named ice tongue; an undulating ridge surface and on a flat upper surface

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite forms extensive sills and the till appears to be derived from the local dolerite; with increasing distance from the ice front, soil weathering increases; this till marks the oldest identifiable moraine from the ice mass to the north of Mt Bergen; the soil sequence suggests that ice retreat has occurred very slowly

surface_weathering:
  Dolerite boulders are strongly stained and rounded with marked exfoliation of oxidised surfaces; well developed ventiforms; a well developed pebble and cobble pavement; distinct up- wind abrasion of upstanding boulders; fine grained dolerite clasts are well pitted; salts are present beneath some surface clasts with the undersides of the clasts having distinct exfoliation

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/20
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS & B&W Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Dolerite, sandstone and granite stony till; the sand fraction is dominantly derived from sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: A north facing face with few snow patches; no soil moistening evident
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Moderately developed broad nets with 75cm troughs
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3/4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 35cm
description:
  Approximately 1km W of Battleship Promontory and north of a prominent sandstone escarpment; a sloping moraine surface high on the valley side near the centre of a patterned ground polygon

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite and Beacon Sandstone are the local rocks; the till includes some granite and other basement rock; these are not found up-valley so must have originated from the east; the till at the site appears to be the oldest of the lower valley tills

surface_weathering:
  A moderately bouldery surface with some upstanding boulders; moderately developed pavement; moderate to strong abrasion on up-wind side with marked staining on rock surfaces on lee sides; some wind ripples on flat lying clasts and minor pitting; some clasts with salt accumulations beneath

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/20
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NW
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Dolerite, sandstone and granite stony till; granite is more abundant than at site 512
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: A north facing face with no snow patches; no soil moistening evident
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed to non active
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >50cm
description:
  Approximately .5km W of Battleship Promontory; on a lower altitude moraine surface a gently sloping moraine ridge above a strongly sloping surface

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite and Beacon Sandstone are the local rocks; the till includes some granite (about 5%) and other basement rock; these are not found up-valley so must have originated from the east

surface_weathering:
  A moderately to strongly developed pavement; occasional upstanding boulders; moderately to strongly developed ventiforms; clasts moderately stained, especially on upper surfaces and finer grained clasts distinctly polished; salts beneath some surface clasts; pitting on fine grained clasts

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/20
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Dolerite, sandstone and granite gravelly till
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: The site is a moist hollow; water was present at 25cm depth
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Shallow rectangular patterned ground cracks on the side of the sink hole but none on the bottom
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2
frozen_type: Not known
description:
  Approximately 1km N of Battleship Promontory; a low lying part of the valley floor in an area with several sink holes; the site is on the floor of a sink hole near the edge

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite and Beacon Sandstone are the local rocks; the till includes some granite and other basement rock; these are not found up-valley so must have originated from the east; the sink holes suggest that the area may be underlain by stagnant ice; a few inliers of granite are present

surface_weathering:
  Salts precipitated on the moist soil surface; surface rocks are unstained with a fresh appearance resulting from the salt weathering

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/21
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS & B&W Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
geological_setting: Ferrar Dolerite and Beacon Sandstone are the local rocks; the surface is part of dolerite sill
soil_parent_matterial: Fragmented dolerite
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: The site is moist and adjacent to a salty pond
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Surface rocks have a fresh appearance resulting from salt weathering
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: ??
frozen_comment: ??
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Approximately 1km from the eastern end of Battleship Promontory; on an undulating bench like surface; adjacent to some small salty ponds; the area surrounding the ponds has thick surface salt encrustations


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/21
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS & B&W Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Weathered dolerite
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous; a dry site with no thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  3.5km N of Mt Bergen at the southern end of the Convoy Range; on a high benched dolerite ridge surface; sample collectd from a crack in the rock

geological_setting:
  Ferrar Dolerite caps many of the high surfaces; which have not been over-ridden by ice for a very long time;

surface_weathering:
  Some cavernous weathering and salt weathering of rock surfaces; strong surface oxidation; some slight deflation hollows with accumultion of fines from exfoliation


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/23
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS & B&W Pro
field_samples: Yes
description: On the north side of the Asgard Range in Folkvangar Valley; a high sloping bench like surface
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Dolerite and sandstone till
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Some small local snow patches; no soil moistening visible
biological_activity: Endolithic lichen locally present
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >32cm
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
geological_setting:
  Surfaces in the mouths of valleys in the Asgard Range have old Miocene aged tills; at this site, old till is present with a well weathered soil; a few granite erratics occur indicating a non local origin for the till

surface_weathering:
  A moderately developed cobble to boulder pavement; surface boulders well rounded with some exfoliation; dolerite clasts moderately to strongly stained; sandstone clasts moderately stained


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1983/01/23
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS & B&W Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Dolerite and sandstone till
soil_climate_zone: Central mountain
soil_moisture_status: Some small local snow patches; no soil moistening visible
biological_activity: Endolithic lichen locally present
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Weathering of the surface soil layers is patchy; in some places the soil is red near the surface
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 5
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  On the north side of the Asgard Range in Folkvangar Valley; a high sloping bench like surface; 2m away from site 517

geological_setting:
  Surfaces in the mouths of valleys in the Asgard Range have old Miocene aged tills; at this site, old till is present with a well weathered soil; a few granite erratics occur indicating a non local origin for the till


reason: Soil contamination examination
observation_date: 1988/01/03
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Reworked basaltic drift materials
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic, Oceanic subxerous
soil_moisture_status: Dry at sampling time but periodically moist
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Heavily disturbed site from base activities
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  To the west of the Hanger Building at Scott Base, 25m from the building; a probable kerosene spill site

geological_setting:
  Rocks of the area are McMurdo Volcanics, a series of flows of mainly scoria; Last Glaciation ice resulted in small accessions of sedimentary and crystalline rocks from the mainland


reason: Soil biological examination
observation_date: 1988/01/03
authors: IBC, GGC
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 3o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery scoria drift deposits with some glaciogenic quartzo-feldspathic finer material
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic, Oceanic subxerous
soil_moisture_status: A snow thaw site with periodic thaw water seepages;
biological_activity: Some small yellow lichen patches
patterned_ground: Weakly developed small nets
previous_disturbance: Probably some surface treading
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Approximately 150m NW of Scott Base; a shallow gully/nivation cirque; on the lower side slope of the gully

geological_setting:
  Rocks of the area are McMurdo Volcanics, a series of flows of mainly scoria; Last Glaciation ice resulted in small accessions of sedimentary and crystalline rocks from the mainland

surface_weathering:
  A predominantly bouldery surface with calcium carbonate coatings beneath many surface stones; clasts unweathered but some with surface polish; some thin scattered salt efflorescences


reason: Soil biological examination
observation_date: 1988/01/03
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: S
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 4o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery black and some red scoria
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic, Oceanic subxerous
soil_moisture_status: A moist site with snow lying between surface rocks
patterned_ground: Micro polygons
surface_weathering: A bouldery unweathered and uneven surface; a few salt patches precipitated on some rocks
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Approximately 1.5km east of Castle Rock on a basaltic knoll; a rocky surface with scattered moss and lichen; a gently sloping uneven surface

geological_setting:
  Rocks of the area are McMurdo Volcanics, a series of flows of mainly scoria; tuffs occur at Castle Rock nearby; Last Glaciation ice resulted in small accessions of sedimentary and crystalline rocks from the mainland

biological_activity:
  Moss and lichen species; more abundant on black scoria than on red scoria and less common on drier north faces


reason: Soil weathering examination and permafrost examination
observation_date: 1988/01/04
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 4o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
soil_moisture_status: Occasional summer snowfalls; site is dry with no adjacent snow patches
biological_activity: Some lichen in cracks in boulders
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad hummocky nets
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 23cm
description:
  Approximately 2km east of Battleship Promontory; on the lower south slope of Alatna Valley; 20m below the crest of a minor moraine ridge on the valley side

geological_setting:
  Alatna Valley has formed through ice recession from the Benson Glacier and ice from Staten Island Heights; the local rocks are extensive Beacon Sandstone outcrops capped with Ferrar Dolerite; the tills include granites and gneissic rocks which occur nearer the coast and indicate ice movement from the east

soil_parent_matterial:
  Sandy gravel derived from sandstone, dolerite and some granite; a wedge of paler coloured and finer textured material in the profile is an old patterned ground crack

surface_weathering:
  Some dolerite weakly pitted; exfoliation and spalling are active; some cavernous weathering; boulders moderately stained and slightly rounded; a bouldery surface with some clasts upstanding; a weakly developed pavement with some ventiforms; some clasts with thick salt accumulations beneath

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination and permafrost examination
observation_date: 1988/01/04
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 4o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel derived from sandstone, dolerite and some granite
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
soil_moisture_status: Occasional summer snowfalls; site is dry with no adjacent snow patches
biological_activity: Some lichen in cracks in boulders
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad hummocky nets
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 20cm
description:
  Approximately 2km east of Battleship Promontory; on the lower south slope of Alatna Valley; 20m below the crest of a minor moraine ridge on the valley side; the site is 6m from site 522 at the edge of the polygon

geological_setting:
  Alatna Valley has formed through ice recession from the Benson Glacier and ice from Staten Island Heights; the local rocks are extensive Beacon Sandstone outcrops capped with Ferrar Dolerite; the tills include granites and gneissic rocks which occur nearer the coast and indicate ice movement from the east

surface_weathering:
  Some dolerite weakly pitted; exfoliation and spalling are active; some cavernous weathering; boulders moderately stained and slightly rounded; a bouldery surface with some clasts upstanding; a weakly developed pavement with some ventiforms; some clasts with thick salt accumulations beneath

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil biological examination
observation_date: 1988/01/05
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: W-Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 2o; 4o-0o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel till modified by pond hydrological variations
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: The site was visited in 1983; a soil pit was still very evident
soil_weathering: 3
description:
  On the floor of the western end of Alatna Valley and north of Battleship Promontory; a low salty hollow in the valley floor; the samples were collected in a sequence from the drier soil surface just above the wet edge of the hollow, 5m from the wet edge and onto the wet floor

geological_setting:
  Alatna Valley has formed through ice recession from the Benson Glacier and ice from Staten Island Heights; the local rocks are extensive Beacon Sandstone outcrops capped with Ferrar Dolerite; the tills include granites and gneissic rocks which occur nearer the coast and indicate ice movement from the east; some hollows may be kettle holes

soil_moisture_status:
  The floor of the depression is wet; the soil becomes progressively less moist with increasing distance from the flat floor

biological_activity:
  Nil observed; the samples were collected to see if there was any evidence of a biological activity gradient between the moist floor and the adjacent drier toe slopes

surface_weathering:
  Salts are precipitated on the floor of the moist depression; on the slope immediately adjacent to the depression floor, the soil is very spongy; this may be due to a high salt content

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering exmination
observation_date: 1988/01/05
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NNE
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 2o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy bouldery till from dolerite, sandstone and granite
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
soil_moisture_status: Local snow patches but no water or soil moistening observed
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Moderately developed nets; 50cm deep active cracks containing boulders
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 24cm
description:
  At the western end of Alatna Valley and to the east of Battleship Promontory; the site is about 100m away from site 513 but on a flatter surface

geological_setting:
  Alatna Valley has formed through ice recession from the Benson Glacier and ice from Staten Island Heights; the local rocks are extensive Beacon Sandstone outcrops capped with Ferrar Dolerite; the tills include granites (pink Irizar granite) and gneissic rocks which occur nearer the coast and indicate ice movement from the east; some hollows may be kettle holes

surface_weathering:
  Moderate surface staining dominantly on the lee sides; up-wind sides strongly abraded; a moderately developed cobble to small boulder pavement with distinct clast rounding; salts beneath some surface clasts

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/06
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Windblown largely pre-weathered sand derived from fretting and abrasion of local rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
soil_moisture_status: Local snow patches but no water or soil moistening observed
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Moderately developed nets; 50cm deep active cracks containing boulders and sand accumulations
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  At the western end of Alatna Valley and approximately 2km east of Battleship Promontory; the site is in a patterned ground crack where wind-blown sand is accumulating

geological_setting:
  Alatna Valley has formed through ice recession from the Benson Glacier and ice from Staten Island Heights; the local rocks are extensive Beacon Sandstone outcrops capped with Ferrar Dolerite; the high sand content may be due to incorporation of wind-blown sand from erosion of adjacent dolerite and sandstone outcrops

surface_weathering:
  Boulders up to 1m are moderately rounded and stained; some show distinct exfoliation; movement of boulders into the patterned ground cracks is active; windblown sand is also accumulating

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Biological examination
observation_date: 1988/01/06
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
soil_moisture_status: Moisture only available from periodic snow falls
biological_activity: Lichen on rocks mainly in cracks; hyphae extend into the rock cracks
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
description:
  Approximately 4km east of Battleship Promontory; near some small ponds; the sample is from crumbled rock material with lichen growing in the rock cracks

geological_setting:
  Alatna Valley has formed through ice recession from the Benson Glacier and ice from Staten Island Heights; the local rocks are extensive Beacon Sandstone outcrops capped with Ferrar Dolerite; till is extensive on the valley floor and includes granite from near the coast

soil_parent_matterial:
  Partly crumbled coarse-grained dolerite; the rock cracks have small accumulations of fine sand which may aid lichen occurrences

surface_weathering:
  Coarse grained dolerite is strongly crumbled and fragmented; fine grained dolerite has strongly oxidised surfaces with some exfoliation; some thin clay-like films are present in some of the rock cracks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Biological examination
observation_date: 1988/01/06
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till with minor sorting from water level fluctuations
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
biological_activity: Cyanobacterial mats extensive at the pond edge becoming less abundant with increasing distance
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: A largely bouldery surface with many boulders upstanding, slightly rounded and partly stained
previous_disturbance: Nil
description:
  Approximately 4km east of Battleship Promontory; at the edge of a small pond the samples were collected at 25m intervals from near the edge of the pond

geological_setting:
  Alatna Valley has formed through ice recession from the Benson Glacier and ice from Staten Island Heights; the local rocks are extensive Beacon Sandstone outcrops capped with Ferrar Dolerite; till is extensive on the valley floor and includes granite from near the coast

soil_moisture_status:
  Moist adjacent to the pond, dry further away; adjacent extensive snow patches are probably the source of the pond waters

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering exmination
observation_date: 1988/01/06
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Wind-blown coarse sand from exfoliation of local granite, dolerite and sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
soil_moisture_status: Dry at the site but snow probably lies in the patterned ground cracks
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Moderately developed, partly infilled cracks; 50cm deep; some cracks active with sand infilling
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  Towards the eastern end of Alatna Valley, approximately 10km NNE of Battleship Promontory; near a granite knoll; in a patterned ground crack where wind-blown sand is accumulating

geological_setting:
  Alatna Valley has formed through ice recession from the Benson Glacier and ice from Staten Island Heights; the local rocks are extensive Beacon Sandstone outcrops capped with Ferrar Dolerite; granite outliers are also present; the high sand content of the soils may be due to the incorporation of wind-blown sand from erosion of local rocks

surface_weathering:
  The surface is moderately weathered with rounded to subrounded boulders, some strongly stained with polish; thin patchy surface salt accumulations

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/06
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy till from dolerite, granite and sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
soil_moisture_status: Some snow in the patterned ground cracks; recent light snow fall but negligible soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Moderately developed broad nets; some active cracks up to 50cm deep
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 28
description:
  Central Alatna Valley, approximately 10km NNE of Battleship Promontory; 500m from the southern edge of the stagnant Staten Island Heights glacier; on an undulating moraine surface

geological_setting:
  Alatna Valley has formed through ice recession from the Benson Glacier and ice from Staten Island Heights; the local rocks are extensive Beacon Sandstone outcrops capped with Ferrar Dolerite; granite outliers are also present; the presence of pink Irizar Granite indicates earlier up-valley ice movement; soil ages may be complicated the rate at which local ice masses have retreated

surface_weathering:
  Dolerite clasts strongly stained on lee sides but abraded on up-wind sides; oxidised faces with distinct weathering rhinds; some exfoliation of weathering rhinds; most clasts subrounded; weakly to moderately formed cobble to boulder pavement with some ventiforms; salts beneath some surface clasts; some wind ripples on flat lying rock surfaces

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/06
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Wind-blown sand
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
soil_moisture_status: Periodic summer snow falls; snow in patterned ground cracks but little visible soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Extensive and well developed broad nets with active movement
surface_weathering: Loose sandy surface; clasts in the patterned ground crack are subangular and weakly stained
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  Central Alatna Valley, approximately 9km NNE of Battleship Promontory; 500m from the southern edge of the stagnant Staten Island Heights glacier; on an undulating moraine surface; the site is a sand accumulation patch behind a boulder and in a patterned ground crack

geological_setting:
  Alatna Valley has formed through ice recession from the Benson Glacier and ice from Staten Island Heights; the local rocks are extensive Beacon Sandstone outcrops capped with Ferrar Dolerite; granite outliers are also present; the presence of pink Irizar Granite indicates earlier up-valley ice movement; many of the soils are very sandy below the bouldery surface; the sand may in part originate from local erosion and become incorporated into the soil through cryic processes

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/07
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Wind-blown sand
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
soil_moisture_status: Periodic summer snow falls; some snow in patterned ground cracks but little visible soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Extensive and well developed broad nets with active movement
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1/3
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 23cm
description:
  Alatna Valley, approximately 5km E of Battleship Promontory; an undulating moraine surface near a knoll; a sand accumulation patch behind a boulder

geological_setting:
  Alatna Valley has formed through ice recession from the Benson Glacier and ice from Staten Island Heights; the local rocks are extensive Beacon Sandstone outcrops capped with Ferrar Dolerite; the soils are very sandy below the bouldery surface; the sand may in part originate from local erosion and become incorporated into the soil through cryic process; multi-layering in the sand indicates variation in environmental conditions

surface_weathering:
  Dolerite boulders are oxidised and partly disaggregating; finer grained dolerite is strongly stained;

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/07
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 2o
soil_parent_matterial: Wind-blown sand
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
soil_moisture_status: Periodic summer snow falls; the site is dry
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad nets
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2
description:
  Alatna Valley, approximately 2.5km E of Battleship Promontory; an gently undulating moraine surface in a slight depression; a sand accumulation patch behind a boulder

geological_setting:
  Alatna Valley has formed through ice recession from the Benson Glacier and ice from Staten Island Heights; the local rocks are extensive Beacon Sandstone outcrops capped with Ferrar Dolerite; the soils are very sandy below the bouldery surface; the sand may in part originate from local erosion and become incorporated into the soil through cryic process

surface_weathering:
  Strong landsurface stability indicated by wind-fluted and polished and oxidised boulder upper surfaces; abrasion on surfaces exposed to up-valley wind; a well developed pebble pavement between larger boulders; some salts precipitated on the edges of some boulders

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering and permafrost examination
observation_date: 1988/01/09
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Stony dolerite till
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
soil_moisture_status: Recent snow cover shows evidence of widespread thaw; the soils are moist in places
biological_activity: Yellow lichens occur in patches
patterned_ground: Weakly developed nets; troughs up to 25cm deep
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 23cm
description:
  On the floor of the Towle Valley, approximately 3km southwest of the Towle Glacier; to the NE of a large snowbank; an uneven, slightly terraced, bouldery surface

geological_setting:
  Towle Valley is formed almost entirely in dolerite; the tills, moraines and soils indicate a northeasterly retreat of the Towle Glacier from the valley; land surfaces on the lower valley floor appear not to be very old but there may have been some re-working of older drift materials

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders mainly subangular to subrounded; weakly to moderately developed pavement; moderate surface oxidation with some very slight pitting; some surface exfoliation and fretting; salt encrustations on the undersides of some surface stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/10
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery dolerite till, possibly pre-weathered
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
biological_activity: Yellow lichens occur in patches; cyanobacteria in pools
patterned_ground: Weakly developed with some small micro-polygons
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 24cm
description:
  At the Northeastern end of the Towle Valley; on a low moraine ridge about 150m from the Towle Glacier; on the crest of the low ridge

geological_setting:
  Towle Valley is formed almost entirely in dolerite; the tills, moraines and soils indicate a northeasterly retreat of the Towle Glacier from the valley; land surfaces on the lower valley floor appear not to be very old; the tills may be rather old but may have been over-ridden by repeated incursions of the Towle Glacier into the valley; a few granite clasts are present; there may have been some re-working of older tills

soil_moisture_status:
  Recent snow cover shows evidence of widespread thaw; the soils are moist in places and appear to be periodically wet; water occurs in some small pools

surface_weathering:
  Extensive bouldery surfaces with predominantly angular clasts; some boulders showing extensive spalling and fragmentation and some crumbling; salts encrust undersides of many clasts; surface staining nil to some distinct

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil biological examination
observation_date: 1988/01/10
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery dolerite till, possibly pre-weathered
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
biological_activity: Yellow lichens occur in patches; cyanobacteria in pools
patterned_ground: Moderately developed net; 40cm deep crack with active boulder infilling
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
description:
  At the Northeastern end of the Towle Valley; on a low moraine ridge about 150m from the Towle Glacier; adjacent to a patterned ground crack; sample a from alongside a boulder; ample b from a salty spot 75cm away

geological_setting:
  Towle Valley is formed almost entirely in dolerite; the tills, moraines and soils indicate a northeasterly retreat of the Towle Glacier from the valley; land surfaces on the lower valley floor appear not to be very old; the tills may be rather old but may have been over-ridden by repeated incursions of the Towle Glacier into the valley; a few granite clasts are present; there may have been some re-working of older tills

soil_moisture_status:
  Recent snow cover shows evidence of widespread thaw; the soils are moist in places and appear to be periodically wet; water occurs in some small pools; some snow in the patterned ground crack

surface_weathering:
  Extensive bouldery surfaces with predominantly angular clasts; some boulders showing extensive spalling and fragmentation and some crumbling; patchy staining may be relict; salts encrust undersides of many clasts,

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil biological examination
observation_date: 1988/01/11
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Fragmented dolerite
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
biological_activity: Some yellow and orange lichen
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4/5
description:
  Toward the southwestern end of Towle Valley; the site is adjacent to a rocky dolerite knoll on the valley floor

geological_setting:
  Towle Valley is formed almost entirely in dolerite; the tills, moraines and soils indicate a northeasterly retreat of the Towle Glacier from the valley; land surfaces on the lower valley floor appear not to be very old; the tills may be rather old but may have been over-ridden by repeated incursions of the Towle Glacier into the valley; a few granite clasts are present; there may have been some re-working of older tills

soil_moisture_status:
  Recent snow cover shows evidence of thaw, especially against rocks; the soils are moist in places and appear to be periodically wet

surface_weathering:
  Strong surface oxidation of dolerite boulders and outcrop surfaces; distinct and moderately deep pitting on bedrock clasts

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/11
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Fragmented dolerite from bedrock fretting
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
biological_activity: Some yellow and orange lichen
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: < cm
frozen_type: dry-frozen
frozen_comment: <50cm
description:
  Toward the southwestern end of Towle Valley; the site is adjacent to a rocky dolerite knoll on the valley floor

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 423 characters]

soil_moisture_status:
  Recent snow cover shows evidence of thaw, especially against rocks; the soils are moist in places and appear to be periodically wet

surface_weathering:
  Strong surface oxidation of dolerite boulders and outcrop surfaces; distinct and moderately deep pitting on bedrock and surface clasts; non pavementic or ventiformed

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/12
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NW
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 4o
soil_parent_matterial: fragmental disaggregated dolerite
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
biological_activity: Lichens are plentiful
patterned_ground: Weakly developed in hollows
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_comment: >24cm
description:
  On a high dolerite surface above and to the Southwest of the Towle Valley, approximately 8km to the southwest of the Towle Glacier; an undulating largely snow-covered bouldery surface formed by earlier ice over-riding; the site is a lower slope of a shallow gully

geological_setting:
  Towle Valley is formed almost entirely in dolerite; the higher dissected plateau like surfaces above the Towle Valley have been exposed by ice sheet retreat; the extensive patchy snow cover may have restricted development of prolonged weathering

soil_moisture_status:
  Extensive snow cover but little indications of significant thawing; probably occasional soil moistening

surface_weathering:
  Dolerite decomposition largely through joint fracturing and surface exfoliation; feldsenmeer surfaces formed; distinct surface staining but pitting is negligible; soils formed mostly in cracks or around boulders

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/12
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: 6o
slope_unit: N
slope_comment: N
soil_parent_matterial: Fragmental dolerite in a joint plane crack
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
soil_moisture_status: Some surface snow cover but no present thawing
biological_activity: Lichens are plentiful
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry-frozen
frozen_comment: >35cm
description:
  On a high dolerite surface above and to the Southwest of the Towle Valley, approximately 8km to the southwest of the Towle Glacier; an undulating largely snow-covered bouldery surface formed by earlier ice over-riding; the site is on the edge of a dolerite escarpment in a crack between fractured dolerite columns

geological_setting:
  Towle Valley is formed almost entirely in dolerite; the higher dissected plateau like surfaces above the Towle Valley have been exposed by ice sheet retreat; the extensive patchy snow cover may have restricted development of prolonged weathering; bedrock weathering takes place through joint plane disaggregation aided by wedging processes

surface_weathering:
  Dolerite is coarse grained, weakly to moderately stained with surface disaggregation; soil material accumulating in joint planes forms wedges which slowly pry boulders apart as part of freeze and thaw processes

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost examination
observation_date: 1988/01/13
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Stony dolerite till
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
soil_moisture_status: Some surface snow cover; recent snow fall with some surface soil moistening
biological_activity: Lichens present
patterned_ground: Weakly developed nets; troughs up to 25cm deep
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 15cm
description:
  On the floor of the Towle Valley, approximately 3km southwest of the Towle Glacier; to the NE of a large snowbank; an uneven, slightly terraced, bouldery surface

geological_setting:
  Towle Valley is formed almost entirely in dolerite; the tills, moraines and soils indicate a northeasterly retreat of the Towle Glacier from the valley; land surfaces on the lower valley floor appear not to be very old; some soils are ice-cemented close to the ground surface

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders mainly subangular to subrounded; weakly to moderately developed pavement; moderate surface oxidation with some very slight pitting; some surface exfoliation and fretting; salt encrustations on the undersides of some surface stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/13
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Locally derived drift deposits from dolerite with minor inclusion of sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Mountain, xerous to subxerous
biological_activity: Lichens occur locally
patterned_ground: Weakly developed; 25cm deep troughs; some smaller nets within larger polygons
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 18cm
description:
  On the floor of the Towle Valley, approximately 3.2km southwest of the Towle Glacier; on a bench like surface above a large snowbank; an undulating bouldery surface

geological_setting:
  Towle Valley is formed almost entirely in dolerite; the tills, moraines and soils indicate a northeasterly retreat of the Towle Glacier from the valley; land surfaces on the lower valley floor appear not to be very old; occasional small sandstone erratics indicate probable past invasion of ice into the valley from a down-valley direction; there may have been some re-working of older till deposits

soil_moisture_status:
  Some surface snow cover; recent snow fall with some surface soil moistening; some boulders are moist beneath

surface_weathering:
  Boulders are large with a moderately developed cobble pavement between; clasts mainly subrounded with moderate exfoliation of weathering skins; moderate to strong surface oxidation; some weak pitting; salts beneath many clasts

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/14
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NE
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 2o
soil_parent_matterial: Dolerite and sandstone till with some granite forming paleosols
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous to subxerous; occasional light summer snow falls with brief surface soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil at site
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >200cm
description:
  New Valley, approximately 3km northwest of New Mountain on the south side of the upper Taylor Glacier; on the west side of a bench at the mouth of New Valley; a gently sloping slightly uneven till covered surface

geological_setting:
  Local rocks are Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; the till in the valley floor contains granite with some large erratics near the valley mouth from outside the region; the erratics indicate former incursions of ice into the valley mouth; moraine loops show the extent of various ice advances

surface_weathering:
  Some granite boulders strongly oxidised and crumbled, others with a fresher appearance; well developed cavernous weathering; dolerite strongly stained and pitted; well developed pavement with polish and ventiforms; abundant salts beneath surface stones

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/14
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: WNW
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 2o
soil_parent_matterial: Dolerite and sandstone till
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
biological_activity: Nil at site
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4/5
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >95cm
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  New Valley, approximately 3km south of Taylor Glacier and 1.5km west of New Mountain; a narrow high altitude valley on a gently sloping valley floor

geological_setting:
  Local rocks are Beacon Sandstone and Ferrar Dolerite; the till in the valley floor is probably local valley drift; the deposits may being at a higher elevation than the lower part on New Valley may be appreciably older

soil_moisture_status:
  Xerous to subxerous; occasional light summer snow falls with brief surface soil moistening; some small snow patches nearby

surface_weathering:
  A well developed pebble and cobble pavement with no upstanding boulders; well developed ventiforms; strong staining on dolerite and sandstone clasts; well rounded and some distinct pitting


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/14
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Fine fraction between dolerite bedrock clasts
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
soil_moisture_status: Xerous to subxerous; occasional light summer snow falls; some small snow patches nearby;
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Dolerite clasts strongly stained and pitted
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  New Valley, approximately 3km west of New Mountain on the south side of the upper Taylor Glacier; approximately 4.5km south of Taylor Glacier; on a ridge between Arena Valley and New Valley on an outcrop of dolerite

geological_setting:
  Dolerite and sandstone outcrop on ridges; the sandstone and dolerite are strongly stained, polished and pitted


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/17
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy to silty till from dolerite, sandstone and granite with possible paleosol
soil_climate_zone: Central Mountain
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 4
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen over ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 55cm
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  New Valley, approximately 1.5km northwest of New Mountain on the south side of the upper Taylor Glacier; in a narrow high valley on the valley floor; on a ridge between Arena Valley and New Valley on an outcrop of dolerite

geological_setting:
  Dolerite and sandstone outcrop on ridges; the lower part of New Valley has granitic till with the granite diminishing in abundance further up the valley; the granite has come from a down-valley source

soil_moisture_status:
  Xerous to subxerous; occasional light summer snow falls with some brief slight surface soil moistening

surface_weathering:
  Well developed pebble/cobble pavement with no upstanding boulders; moderately to strongly stained and polished surface rocks; moderately ventiformed and some pitting; some advanced boulder disaggregation


reason: Soil Biological examination
observation_date: 1988/01/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel till of mixed lithology; granite, schist, dolerite; igneous
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; soil is moist from glacial thaw water but dry in patches
biological_activity: Cyanobacteria in damp spots
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Surface is unweathered
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  Walcott Bay, at the eastern edge of the Walcott Glacier; 30m from the glacier front; a flat site amongst blocks of thawing ice in a damp patch and an adjacent dry patch

geological_setting:
  The Walcott Bay area has a complex geology with basement rocks, small volcanic cones and an extensive drift mantle which include a wide range of rocks; the area was previously covered by the Koetlitz Glacier which has retreated; lower altitude surfaces are late Ross Glaciation in age

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil Weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Mixed gravelly drift from scoria; granite, dolerite and sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil at site
surface_weathering: A salty crust covers the centre of the floor of the depression; surface clasts are unoxidised
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  Walcott Bay, at the eastern edge of the Walcott Glacier; approximately 200m from the southern margin of Walcott Glacier and 4km from the Koetlitz Glacier; a low lying depression forming a salty hollow; the sample site is near the centre of the depression where salts are precipitated

geological_setting:
  The Walcott Bay area has a complex geology with basement rocks, small volcanic cones and an extensive drift mantle which include a wide range of rocks; the area was previously covered by the Koetlitz Glacier which has retreated; lower altitude surfaces are late Ross Glaciation in age

soil_moisture_status:
  Moist; soil is moist to the surface and wet below; water at 22 cm; a snow patch partly covers the floor of the hollow

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil biological examination
observation_date: 1988/01/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Mixed gravelly drift from scoria; granite, dolerite and sandstone
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil at site
surface_weathering: A salty crust covers the centre of the floor of the depression; surface clasts are unoxidised
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  Walcott Bay, at the eastern edge of the Walcott Glacier; approximately 200m from the southern margin of Walcott Glacier and 4km from the Koetlitz Glacier; a low lying depression forming a salty hollow; the samples are a 4 points on the floor of the depression to see if there are microbiological differences associated with site wetness and salinity

geological_setting:
  The Walcott Bay area has a complex geology with basement rocks, small volcanic cones and an extensive drift mantle which include a wide range of rocks; the area was previously covered by the Koetlitz Glacier which has retreated; lower altitude surfaces are late Ross Glaciation in age

soil_moisture_status:
  Moist; soil is moist to the surface and wet below; a snow patch partly covers the floor of the hollow

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Red and black gravelly scoria drift
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weak broad nets; 25cm active troughs with sand infillings and overturned stones
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 25cm
description:
  Walcott Bay, at the eastern edge of the Walcott Glacier; approximately 250m from the southern margin of Walcott Glacier and 4km from the Koetlitz Glacier; a low scoria knoll; the crest of the knoll

geological_setting:
  The Walcott Bay area has a complex geology with basement rocks, small volcanic cones and an extensive drift mantle which include a wide range of rocks; the area was previously covered by the Koetlitz Glacier which has retreated; lower altitude surfaces are late Ross Glaciation in age; this site has been exposed by the retreat of Walcott Glacier

soil_moisture_status:
  The site is dry with no adjacent snow thaw patches; summer snowfalls occasionally moisten the soil surface

surface_weathering:
  A moderately developed pebble/cobble pavement; most clasts subrounded with some weakly ventiform; some clasts overturned and with thick calcite encrustations on undersides

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Mixed stony till including granite, basalts, dolerite, schist, gneiss
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 40cm
description:
  Walcott Bay, to the south of Walcott Glacier; approximately 1km from the southern margin of Walcott Glacier and 3km from the Koetlitz Glacier; a knoll in broadly undulating topography; the crest of the knoll

geological_setting:
  The Walcott Bay area has a complex geology with basement rocks, small volcanic cones and an extensive drift mantle which include a wide range of rocks; the area was previously covered by the Koetlitz Glacier which has retreated; lower altitude surfaces are late Ross Glaciation in age; this higher surfaces mark earlier stages of the retreat of the Ross Glacial ice

soil_moisture_status:
  The site is dry with no adjacent snow thaw patches; summer snowfalls occasionally moisten the soil surface

surface_weathering:
  Clasts subangular to subrounded; some overturned with carbonate coatings; some slight staining of granite clasts; some exfoliation of crystalline rocks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/20
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NE
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 25o
soil_parent_matterial: Fine textured sediment
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; an adjacent stream bed currently not flowing
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Some needle ice activity
previous_disturbance: Nil
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Walcott Bay, to the south of Walcott Glacier; approximately 1.5km from the Koetlitz Glacier; a stream channel with an outcrop of brown sediment, possibly till

geological_setting:
  Tills on the lower slopes of the Walcott Bay region are Ross Glacial deposits and are mainly sandy gravels; the stream section shows some finer textured sediments which may be fluvial or old till deposits


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/20
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SW
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 3o
soil_parent_matterial: Disaggregating and fractured gneissic bedrock with sand infilling along fracture planes
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Some green algae in patches beneath light coloured rocks
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 2
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_comment: 45cm
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Walcott Bay, to the northeast of the Howchin Glacier; approximately 1km east of the Howchin Glacier on a long ridge surface; a rocky knoll about 10m below the crest of the ridge

geological_setting:
  Basement rock is gneiss; on some ridge surfaces till is thin or absent; there is strong physical disaggregation along the joint planes which are nearly vertical

soil_moisture_status:
  Oceanic subxerous; snow is patchy on the ridge surface; the site is dry but the soil is moist below the surface

surface_weathering:
  Strong joint plane surface crumbling and disaggregation; some weak to moderate surface staining; carbonate coatings beneath some clasts; sand infilling in cracks may aide bedrock fragmentation through wedging processes


reason: Soil biological examination
observation_date: 1988/01/20
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Some green algae in patches beneath tabular light coloured rocks
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Surface rocks are mainly tabular and form a moderately developed pavement
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Walcott Bay, to the northeast of the Howchin Glacier; approximately 1km east of the Howchin Glacier on a long ridge surface; a rocky knoll about 10m below the crest of the ridge

geological_setting:
  Basement rock is gneiss; on some ridge surfaces till is thin or absent; there is strong physical disaggregation along the joint planes which are nearly vertical

soil_parent_matterial:
  Disaggregating and fractured gneissic bedrock with sand infilling along fracture planes; some basaltic erratics

soil_moisture_status:
  Oceanic subxerous; snow is patchy on the ridge surface; the site is dry but the soil is moist below the surface


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/20
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a dry site with no adjacent snow patches
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Patterned ground in the area is distinct broad nets but with sshallow troughs
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 30cm
description:
  Walcott Bay, to the northeast of the Howchin Glacier; approximately 1km northeast of the Howchin Glacier on a moraine ridge on the lower northeast side of the Howchin Glacier; an elevated moraine surface probably related to a former level of the glacier; on a broad level site

geological_setting:
  The Walcott Bay area has a complex geology with basement rocks, small volcanic cones and an extensive drift mantle which include a wide range of rocks; the Howchin Glacier was probably previously joined with the Koetlitz Glacier during the Ross Glaciation and tills in this valley mark its retreat

soil_parent_matterial:
  Sandy pebble to cobble gravel till with very mixed lithology; granites, schist, gneiss, marble sandstone and basalts

surface_weathering:
  Weakly developed predominantly pebble pavement; very weakly developed ventiform; little surface disaggregation; some weak cavernous weathering on granite clasts; some slight surface staaining on dolerite; carbonte coatings on undersides of some clasts

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/21
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel alluvium with a moss cover
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Moss cover in small patches with adjacent dead patches with surface salt accumulation
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  Walcott Bay, to the east of Walcott Glacier; approximately 2km east of Walcott Glacier; on the floor of an inactive stream channel with scattered moss patches; the site is beneath a moss patch

geological_setting:
  The Walcott Bay area has a complex geology with basement rocks, small volcanic cones and an extensive drift mantle which include a wide range of rocks; the lower altitude surfaces represent the most recently exposed surfaces following retreat of ice from Walcott Bay and the nearby alpine glaciers; the lower slopes are extensively ice-cored and the landscape is being actively modified in places by thermokarst processes

soil_moisture_status:
  Oceanic subxerous; the site is currently dry but probably receives occasional water flows from snow thaw

surface_weathering:
  The moss has some sand on the surface and is probably windblown; the adjacent surface without a moss cover is unweathered loose sandy pebble gravel

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/21
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SW
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 80o
soil_parent_matterial: Stratified sands and brown sediment, possibly altered ash deposits and ice-marginal
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Moss patches in damp nearby hollows
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: The section is steep and the dry gully has probably been eroded by periodic high water flows
previous_disturbance: Nil
description:
  Walcott Bay, at the northern end of Walcott Bay in a dry gully; a section on the north side of the gully where stratified sediments are exposed

geological_setting:
  The Walcott Bay area has a complex geology with basement rocks, small volcanic cones and an extensive drift mantle which include a wide range of rocks; the lower altitude surfaces represent the most recently exposed surfaces following retreat of ice from Walcott Bay and the nearby alpine glaciers; a stream section above the lower ice-cored surfaces has stratified sediments which are clearly older and may be ashy or chemical deposits, as suggested by their low density

soil_moisture_status:
  Oceanic subxerous; the site is currently dry but probably receives occasional water flows from snow thaw

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/22
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Very sandy gravelly till with sand wedges
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; the site is dry; occasional summer snow falls
biological_activity: Small lichen occurrences on crystalline rocks are common
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad nets with raised borders; 25cm deep troughs; sand wedges are present
surface_weathering: A moderately developed pebble and small cobble pavement; most clasts subrounded and unstained;
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 50cm
description:
  Walcott Bay, approximately 1.5km east of the terminus of Walcott Glacier; on an undulating till surface with weakly developed patterned ground; the sample site is 40cm from a patterned ground crack

geological_setting:
  The Walcott Bay area has a complex geology with basement rocks, small volcanic cones and an extensive drift mantle which include a wide range of rocks; the lower altitude surfaces represent the most recently exposed surfaces following retreat of ice from Walcott Bay and the nearby alpine glaciers; the lower slopes are extensively ice-cored and the landscape is being actively modified in places by thermokarst processes

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil biological examination
observation_date: 1988/01/22
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Fluvially modified sandy gravel till
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; the site is damp in the center and shows distinct zonation
biological_activity: Cyanobacterial accumulation at the center and around the edge of the lowest part of the hollow
patterned_ground: Nil at site
surface_weathering: Unweathered
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  Walcott Bay, approximately 1.5km east of the terminus of Walcott Glacier; on an undulating till surface with weakly developed patterned ground; the sample site is on the floor of a depression which occasionally has pond water

geological_setting:
  The Walcott Bay area has a complex geology with basement rocks, small volcanic cones and an extensive drift mantle which include a wide range of rocks; the lower altitude surfaces represent the most recently exposed surfaces following retreat of ice from Walcott Bay and the nearby alpine glaciers; the lower slopes are extensively ice-cored and the landscape is being actively modified in places by thermokarst processes

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil Weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/24
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SW
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 3o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; no local snow patches; occasional summer snow falls
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad nets; troughs 10-40cm deep; some multiple parallel troughs in places
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 35cm
description:
  Approximately 10km from the northern end of Brown Peninsula in a broad saddle; on the western side of the peninsula on a higher altitude surface

geological_setting:
  Brown Peninsula comprises volcanic rocks, mainly scoria flows of the McMurdo Volcanics Group; the area was over-ridden during the Ross Glaciation by the expanded Ross Ice Sheet; evidence of extensive ice sheet covering is provided by the presence of erratics, sandstone, dolerite and granite from the west

soil_parent_matterial:
  Basaltic sandy gravel, dominantly scoria, with some finer grained basalt and occasional crystalline rocks

surface_weathering:
  Erratics are fresh and unweathered but are weakly ventiformed; salts beneath larger clasts are common; carbonate coatings present on undersides of some clasts

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil Weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/24
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; no local snow patches; occasional summer snow falls
biological_activity: Abundant moss in stream channels; 20-30 m2 patches
patterned_ground: Active nets related to subsurface ice ablation
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 35cm
description:
  Approximately 10km from the northern end of Brown Peninsula and about 200m from the coast; hummocky moraine surface with nearby small stream channels

geological_setting:
  Brown Peninsula comprises volcanic rocks, mainly scoria flows of the McMurdo Volcanics Group; the area was over-ridden during the Ross Glaciation by the expanded Ross Ice Sheet; evidence of extensive ice sheet covering is provided by the presence of erratics, sandstone, dolerite and granite from the west; lower altitude slopes are youngest and appear to be ice-cored

soil_parent_matterial:
  Sandy basaltic till, dominantly olivine basalt; probable inclusion of crystalline and other mainland material indicated by the presence of granite and other erratics

surface_weathering:
  A moderately developed cobble and pebble pavement; unweathered; occasional thin salt efflorescences; some carbonate coatings

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil Weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/24
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NW
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 5o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; some local snow patches but no visible thawing; occasional summer snow falls
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Moderately developed nets with 30cm troughs
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 35cm
description:
  Approximately 4km from the northern end of Brown Peninsula and on the crest of a moraine ridge with a hummocky knoll surface

geological_setting:
  Brown Peninsula comprises volcanic rocks, mainly scoria flows of the McMurdo Volcanics Group; the area was over-ridden during the Ross Glaciation by the expanded Ross Ice Sheet; evidence of extensive ice sheet covering is provided by the presence of erratics, sandstone, dolerite and granite from the west; lower altitude slopes are youngest and appear to be ice-cored; higher altitude surfaces may indicate age differences in the Ross tills

soil_parent_matterial:
  Sandy basaltic till, dominantly olivine basalt; probable inclusion of crystalline and other mainland material indicated by the presence of granite and other erratics

surface_weathering:
  Non to weakly developed pavement; some salts beneath surface stones; surface clasts subangular and unstained

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Weathering examination
observation_date: 1988/01/24
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
description: 300m west of Bratin Island on dirty ice; on sea ice with marine sponges and salt crust
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 0o
soil_parent_matterial: Marine sediment
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a moist environment with considerable summer thaw and saline conditions
biological_activity: Local ponds are biologically very active
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Surface salts in places
previous_disturbance: Nil
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
geological_setting:
  The dirty ice is an extensive thermokarst area formed through freezing of anchor ice to the sea floor; ablation of the ice brings the sediment to the surface where it is reworked by thawing processes


reason: Soil biological examination
observation_date: 1988/01/26
authors: IBC, GGC
field_samples: Yes
description: 100m northwest of Scott Base; an uneven sloping site alongside a fuel pipeline
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 5o
geological_setting: Rocks of the area are McMurdo Volcanics with a thin till cover; the drift mantle is patchy
soil_parent_matterial: Locally derived scoria drift with accessions of sedimentary and crystalline rocks from the mainland
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a moist environment with summer thaw
biological_activity: Some scattered moss
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad nets
surface_weathering: Some overturned cobbles and boulders with carbonate coatings
soil_weathering: 1
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
previous_disturbance:
  Extensive treading and landscape disturbance from base site activity; fuel pipeline nearby; possibly fuel contaminated


reason: Soil weathering exaamination
observation_date: 1988/01/26
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SW
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 8o
soil_parent_matterial: Basaltic scoria and sandy gravel
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a moist environment with summer thaw
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: A rectangular pattern of small 4m nets with thawing in the troughs
previous_disturbance: A scraped ground surface
soil_weathering: 1
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  1.2km west Scott Base at The Gap; on the north side of the Scott Base to McMurdo road on a sloping scraped surface bout 10m from the road

geological_setting:
  Rocks of the area are McMurdo Volcanics with a thin till cover; the drift mantle is patchy; the area has been scraped for construction material and thawing of ice wedges is showing the patterned ground


reason: Permafrost and soil moisture investigations
observation_date: 1990/01/19
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel to gravelly sand dominated by gneiss, marble and granodiorite
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous
biological_activity: Nil observed at site
patterned_ground: Weakly developed net
previous_disturbance: Site probably undisturbed by previous construction activity but likely to have been walked over
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 65cm
description:
  On a small rise, near the head of Scheuren and Surko Streams about 400 m west of the old Marble Point landing strip and about 300 m east of Wilson Piedmont Glacier; approximately 100 m to the north of a small ponded lake

geological_setting:
  The surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; The Marble Point region is an old landscape, as evidenced by deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks

surface_weathering:
  Clasts mainly unstained, angular to subangular, non ventiform, some granular disintegration of marble clasts

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost and soil moisture investigations
observation_date: 1990/01/19
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery sandy gravel from granodiorite and marble with minor inclusion of other rock types
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous
biological_activity: Nil observed at site
patterned_ground: Broad nets with 20cm troughs
previous_disturbance: Site probably undisturbed by previous construction activity but likely to have been walked over
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice cemented
frozen_comment: 52cm
description:
  Near an old stream channel, 150m to the west of the old Marble Point runway near the northern end; the site is on the flattish crest of a small hillock which forms part of a linear ridge system with 2 to 3m relief; the site is 4m from a patterned ground trough border

geological_setting:
  The surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; The Marble Point region is an old landscape, as evidenced by deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks

surface_weathering:
  Clasts mainly unstained, angular to subangular, non ventiform, some granular disintegration of marble clasts

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost and soil moisture investigations
observation_date: 1990/01/20
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: sorted gravelly sand from granodiorite, marble and other rock types
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous
biological_activity: Nil observed at site
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Unweathered and unstable surface due to construction and vehicle traffic activity
previous_disturbance: Construction fill deposited over undisturbed surface about 1958
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen over hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 62cm
description:
  Northeastern end of old Marble Point runway surface, about 100m from the end, and on the eastern edge; the surface is the flat construction surface of the old runway and is about 50cm above the adjacent ground surface

geological_setting:
  The surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; The Marble Point region is an old landscape, as evidenced by deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks; the deposit at this site has been constructed from excavated materials circa 1958 as part of the runway construction

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost and soil moisture investigations
observation_date: 1990/01/20
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: nil
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous
biological_activity: Nil observed at site
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: A disturbed (scraped) surface without pavement development
previous_disturbance: Surface scraped for construction materials
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 60cm
description:
  On an uneven surface, about 20m from the eastern side of the Marble Point runway, near the northern end, on a scraped ground surface, between sidecast rows

geological_setting:
  The land surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; The Marble Point region is an old landscape, as evidenced by deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks; at this site, surface soil was removed, circa 1958, for construction activity

soil_parent_matterial:
  Disturbed till materials from granodiorite, marble and other basement rocks with some layering, over shattered, partly oxidised gneissic rock

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost and soil moisture investigations
observation_date: 1990/01/20
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: Lscp
field_samples: Yes
description: On the old Marble Point runway surface, on the eastern edge, approximately 75m SE of site 568
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous, dry surface horizon, but slightly moist beneath
biological_activity: Nil observed at site
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: A disturbed (constructed) surface without pavement development
previous_disturbance: Surface disturbed from construction activity for aircraft runway
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen non ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 67cm
geological_setting:
  The land surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; The Marble Point region is an old landscape, as evidenced by deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks; the materials at this site were formed by the addition of fill about 1958

soil_parent_matterial:
  Greyish sandy gravel construction fill from granodiorite, marble and other basement rocks over shattered basement rock

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost and soil moisture investigations
observation_date: 1990/01/20
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Greyish sandy gravel over layered brownish slightly sticky till
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous, dry surface horizon but moist beneath
biological_activity: Nil observed at site
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: A disturbed surface without pavement development
previous_disturbance: Ground scraping for construction fill
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 58cm
description:
  About 50m from the western side of the old runway, towards the northern end on a surface which has been cut and scraped for construction materials, an uneven surface with linear cut and sidecast ridges; the surface forms a hollow, about 75cm below original ground surface and probably accumulates some thaw water at times

geological_setting:
  The land surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the Marble Point region is an old landscape, as evidenced by deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost and soil moisture investigations
observation_date: 1990/01/21
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel over till
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous, dry surface horizons
biological_activity: Nil observed at site
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Patchy surface salt precipitations
previous_disturbance: Ground scraping for construction fill
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: NoObs
frozen_comment: NoObs
description:
  About 50m from the western side of the old runway, towards the northern end, adjacent to a scraped surface and about 10m S of site 571; the surface is probably disturbed; the surface is marked by patchy distributions on surface salt precipitations and was sampled to compare soil moisture contents at a dry and a moist 'slick spot' site; 572 is a dry site

geological_setting:
  The land surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; The Marble Point region is an old landscape, as evidenced by deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks; surface salt precipitations are probably a result of ground disturbance, permafrost retreat and salt release

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost and soil moisture investigations
observation_date: 1990/01/21
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Moist sandy gravel 'slick spot'
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous, moist surface horizons
biological_activity: Nil observed at site
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Patchy moist surface spots in association with dry salty patches
previous_disturbance: Some shallow ground scraping
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  About 50m from the western side of the old runway, towards the northern end, adjacent to a scraped surface and about 10m S of site 571; the surface is disturbed; the surface is marked by patchy distributions on surface salt precipitations and was sampled to compare soil moisture contents at a dry and a moist 'slick spot' site; 572 is a dry site

geological_setting:
  The land surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; The Marble Point region is an old landscape, as evidenced by deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks; surface salt precipitations are probably a result of ground disturbance, permafrost retreat and salt release

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost investigations, and environmental impact study; examination of a recent fuel spill
observation_date: 1990/01/22
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Old runway surface construction fill contaminated with recently spilt DFA
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous,
biological_activity: Nil observed at site
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: The surface is fuel stained at the site of the spill
previous_disturbance: Heavily disturbed from construction activity and ongoing site activity
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 50cm
description:
  2m north of the southernmost building at the Marble Point air facility, on the east corner, at the site of a recent spill of DFA; the site was investigated to determine the depth to which the spilt fuel had migrated

geological_setting:
  The land surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; The Marble Point region is an old landscape, as evidenced by deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost investigations, and environmental impact study; examination of a recent fuel spill
observation_date: 1990/01/22
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Old runway surface construction fill contaminated with recently spilt DFA
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous,
biological_activity: Nil observed at site
patterned_ground: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 90cm
description:
  6m northeast of the southernmost building at the Marble Point air facility, and 4m from the site of a recent spill of DFA; the site was investigated to determine the depth to which the spilt fuel had migrated

geological_setting:
  The land surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; The Marble Point region is an old landscape, as evidenced by deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks

surface_weathering:
  N/A; the ground surface is continuously disturbed from logistical activity, no fuel obvious fuel contamination at the surface at this site

previous_disturbance:
  Heavily disturbed from 1958 runway and subsequent surface modification and ongoing logistical site activity; adjacent fuel spill has spread across the top of the ice-cemented ground

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Suspected contamination material
observation_date: 1990/01/22
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous,
biological_activity: Nil observed at site
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Precipitated deposit
previous_disturbance: Vehicle tracking and chemical contamination from site activity
description:
  About 20m west of the Marble Point air facility building, near the edge of a bulldozer track and near the edge of a pond which receives wastewater runoff

geological_setting:
  The land surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; The Marble Point region is an old landscape, as evidenced by deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks; the pond may be an artificial feature that receives local thaw runoff

soil_parent_matterial:
  A single surface sample of precipitated salt like material with a yellowish colour from near the edge of the pond

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1990/01/23
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Oil contaminated bouldery till, predominantly from marble and gneiss
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: N/A
biological_activity: Nil observed at site
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: The ground surface is smooth, oil-caked and dark coloured
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 90cm
reason:
  Soil contamination and environmental evaluation; at the site of an oil spill, probably heavy lubricating oil

description:
  Old Marble Point construction camp site, approximately 100m north of Surko Stream, towards the eastern edge of the heavily disturbed area; The site is an area of old oil contamination, marked by patches of dark coloured smooth ground surface

geological_setting:
  The land surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; The Marble Point region is an old landscape, as evidenced by deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks

previous_disturbance:
  Site of old late 1950's Marble Point construction camp; the buildings were trashed, probably in the 60's but with subsequent periodic attempts at clean up; this location is the site of the 1999 biological sampling and soil temperature and humidity measurements

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1990/01/23
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous, dry surface horizons but moist in lower horizons
biological_activity: Nil observed at site
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Some white salt precipitated beneath some artefact fragments
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 70cm
reason:
  Soil contamination and environmental process evaluation; sampled to determine extent of contaminant movement by heavy metals from crushed lead acid battery

description:
  Old Marble Point construction camp site, approximately 100m north of Surko Stream, in the heavily disturbed area; much of the area has been modified by attempted burial of the trashed camp site

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 481 characters]

soil_parent_matterial:
  Sandy gravel till from predominantly marble and gneiss with surface disturbance and crushed artefacts (lead acid battery)

previous_disturbance:
  Considerable ground surface disturbance from tracked machinery; crushed lead acid battery with some white salts precipitated beneath; many artifacts scattered around the area but a major USA cleanup in 1998/99

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1990/01/23
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel till from predominantly marble and gneiss
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous, dry surface horizons but moist in lower horizons
biological_activity: Nil observed at site
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Copper artifacts have oxide coating
soil_weathering: 1
reason:
  Soil contamination and environmental process evaluation; sampled to determine contaminant movement by heavy metals from surface copper wire

description:
  Old Marble Point construction camp site, approximately 50m north of Surko Stream, in the heavily disturbed area; much of the area has been modified by attempted burial of the trashed camp site

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 481 characters]

previous_disturbance:
  Considerable ground surface disturbance from tracked machinery during earlier site clean up; a major USA cleanup of the area in 1998/99

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1990/01/23
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel till from predominantly marble and gneiss
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous, dry surface horizons but moist in lower horizons
biological_activity: Nil observed at site
patterned_ground: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
reason:
  Soil contamination and environmental process evaluation; sampled to determine contaminant movement by heavy metals from the edge of an old rubbish dump

description:
  Old Marble Point construction camp site, approximately 50m north of Surko Stream, in the heavily disturbed area; much of the area has been modified by attempted burial of the trashed camp site

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 481 characters]

surface_weathering:
  Dump contains many cans, as well as piping, wire, wood, oil filters, carton bands etc; the steel cans are heavily corroded

previous_disturbance:
  Considerable ground surface disturbance from tracked machinery during earlier site clean up; a major USA cleanup of the area in 1998/99

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1990/01/23
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel till from predominantly marble and gneiss with ashy material at the soil surface
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous,
biological_activity: Nil observed at site
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Considerable salt precipitation at the soil surface; nails and other artifacts are oxidised
previous_disturbance: Probably some ground scraping and disposal of debris by burning
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 57cm
reason:
  Soil contamination and environmental process evaluation; sampled to determine contaminant at the site of a rubbish fire

description:
  100m north of Surko Stream at the old Marble Point construction camp site, on the northeastern side, light to moderate surface disturbance, possibly related to ground scraping and permafrost retreat; the site of an old rubbish fire

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 481 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost and soil moisture investigation
observation_date: 1990/01/24
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous, dry in upper 30cm but moist below
biological_activity: Some algae and moss patches nearby
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Construction activity for hydrological control
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: at the centre but 47cm and 60cm on either side
description:
  Western side of old construction camp on an embankment 3.5m wide constructed as part of a water ponding and drainage system; the site is on the crest of the embankment and was examined to determine if ice-cemented permafrost had formed following the earth disturbance in the late 1950's

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 481 characters]

soil_parent_matterial:
  Bouldery sandy gravel till from predominantly marble and gneiss and granodiorite reworked by construction activity to form an embankment approximately 70cm above the surrounding surface

surface_weathering:
  Unweathered, small solifluction flows on the side of the embankment, patchy surface salt precipitations

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost and soil moisture investigation
observation_date: 1990/01/24
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
description: About 150m northeast of the old Marble Point camp site; a largely boulder free knoll
altitude_unit: m
aspect: W
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous, some soil moistening from snow melt
biological_activity: None observed
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Some oxide staining on surface gneissic boulders; subrounded and exfoliating
previous_disturbance: Undisturbed by construction activity
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 54cm
geological_setting:
  The land surface is an undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; The Marble Point region is an old landscape, as evidenced by deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks; gneiss bedrock outcrops locally

soil_parent_matterial:
  Marble/gneiss till over gneissic bedrock; upper horizons pale but lower horizons somewhat browner, perhaps related to bedrock weathering

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture/salinity relationships investigation
observation_date: 1990/01/24
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Reworked till fluvially deposited as sediment by thaw flow from a small nivation hollow
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous, some soil moistening from snow melt but soil moisture distribution is patchy
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Micro polygonal, 10-25cm across, in moist sandy patches
surface_weathering: Some surface salt accumulations but very patchy
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  About 160m northeast of the old Marble Point camp site; approximately 30m away from site 584 on a low 5m diameter rise adjacent to the foot of a gentle slope; the toe of a small nivation hollow; the samples are from three adjacent spots, a & b moist, c & d salty surface, e & f dry and non salty

geological_setting:
  The land surface is an undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; The Marble Point region is an old landscape, as evidenced by deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks; gneiss bedrock outcrops locally

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigations
observation_date: 1990/01/26
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: W
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Nil at surface but a filled wedge extends to the present surface
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1/5
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 74cm
description:
  SE of the Marble Point Helo facility buildings, on the lower slopes of a west facing side of a ridge; on a gently sloping shelf between rock outcrops

geological_setting:
  The land surface is an undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; The Marble Point region is an old landscape, as evidenced by deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks; marble outcrops nearby and underlies the soil; underlying weathered material may be a remnant of an older surface

soil_parent_matterial:
  Pale coloured till, over older weathered till containing traces of volcanic ash, overlying marble bedrock

surface_weathering:
  Patchy salt distribution; moderately developed pavement; some patches of brownish more oxidised soil at the surface

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1990/01/30
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a dry site with little snow accumulation or water activity
biological_activity: Some small yellow lichen and small moss occurrences
patterned_ground: Weakly developed small net with indistinct borders
surface_weathering: Carbonate coatings on underside of surface clasts; some small patchy salt precipitations
previous_disturbance: Probably minor treading
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 28cm
reason:
  Leaching experiment using lithium chloride tracer to determine rate of leaching; control plot examination

description:
  Approximately 350m northwest of the western end of Scott Base on a gently sloping step on a minor ridge, about 50m north of the Scott Base to McMurdo Station walking track; a generally bouldery surface; at this site, 4 contiguous 1m X 1m plots were set out and 3 irrigated with LiCl, the 4th (southernmost) with H2O; this sampling was from the control plot

geological_setting:
  Rocks are predominantly scoria flows of the McMurdo Volcanics; Last Glaciation Ross 1 ice covered the site and traces of rocks (sandstone and granite granules and small pebbles) probably from the Royal Society Range can be found; the drift mantle is thin and patchy with bedrock a little below the surface

soil_parent_matterial:
  Bouldery till and slope debris predominantly from scoria with minor accessions of sedimentary and granitic rocks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1990/01/30
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a 'wet' site in a gully below a snow patch which thaws in some years
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Weakly developed frost heave polygons
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 25cm
reason:
  Leaching experiment using lithium chloride tracer to determine rate of leaching; control plot examination

description:
  Approximately 350m northwest of the western end of Scott Base in the floor of a shallow gully, 20m NW of site 587 and 3-4m lower in altitude; about 50m north of the Scott Base to McMurdo Station; at this site, 4 contiguous 1m X 1m plots were set out and 3 irrigated with LiCl, the 4th (northernmost) with H2O; this sampling was from the control plot

geological_setting:
  Rocks are predominantly scoria flows of the McMurdo Volcanics; Last Glaciation Ross 1 ice covered the site and traces of rocks (sandstone and granite granules and small pebbles) probably from the Royal Society Range can be found; the drift mantle is thin and patchy with bedrock a little below the surface

soil_parent_matterial:
  Bouldery till and slope debris predominantly from scoria with minor accessions of sedimentary and granitic rocks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigations
observation_date: 1990/01/31
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Site has 80cm of snow cover and ground is frozen to the surface
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 0cm
description:
  Between Scott base and Crater Hill just north of west, a small nivation cirque above and southwest of a bend in the track to a US radio antennae facility; this site is the first of 5 sites sampled in sequence from beneath a snow bank to about 15m beyond to examine soil moisture relationships adjacent to a snow source; this site is underneath a patch of 'permanent' (but retreating) snow

geological_setting:
  Rocks are predominantly scoria flows of the McMurdo Volcanics; Last Glaciation Ross 1 ice covered the site and traces of rocks (sandstone and granite granules and small pebbles) probably from the Royal Society Range can be found; the drift mantle is thin and patchy with bedrock a little below the surface; the ground surface is covered with permanent snow

soil_parent_matterial:
  Bouldery till and slope debris predominantly from scoria with minor accessions of sedimentary and granitic rocks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigations
observation_date: 1990/01/31
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Xerous to subxerous; some moisture from adjacent snow melt
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Minor ground shrinkage cracks from ice cement retreat
surface_weathering: Unweathered
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 2cm
description:
  Between Scott base and Crater Hill, a small nivation cirque above and southwest of a bend in the track to a US radio antennae facility; this site is the second of 5 sites sampled in sequence; this site at the edge of a snow bank

geological_setting:
  Rocks are predominantly scoria flows of the McMurdo Volcanics; Last Glaciation Ross 1 ice covered the site and traces of rocks (sandstone and granite granules and small pebbles) probably from the Royal Society Range can be found; the drift mantle is thin and patchy with bedrock a little below the surface

soil_parent_matterial:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 112 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigations
observation_date: 1990/01/31
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Xerous to subxerous; some moisture from adjacent snow melt
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Minor ground shrinkage cracks from ice cement retreat
surface_weathering: Unweathered
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 10cm
description:
  Between Scott Base and Crater Hill, a small nivation cirque above and west south of a bend in the track to a US radio antennae facility; this site is the third of 5 sites sampled in sequence; this site 0.5m from the edge of a snow bank

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

soil_parent_matterial:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 112 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigations
observation_date: 1990/01/31
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Xerous to subxerous; some moisture from adjacent snow melt
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Minor ground shrinkage cracks from ice cement retreat
surface_weathering: Unweathered
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 17cm
description:
  Between Scott base and Crater Hill, a small nivation cirque above and southwest of a bend in the track to a US radio antennae facility; this site is the fourth of 5 sites sampled in sequence; this site 1.5m from the edge of a snow bank

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

soil_parent_matterial:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 112 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigations
observation_date: 1990/01/31
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Xerous to subxerous;
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Unweathered; calcium carbonate coatings under some surface clasts
previous_disturbance: Probably minor treading disturbance
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 35cm
description:
  Between Scott base and Crater Hill, a small nivation cirque above and southwest of a bend in the track to a US radio antennae facility; this site is the fifth of the series of sites but is located on a small knoll approximately 15m below the snow bank

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

soil_parent_matterial:
  Cobbly till and slope debris predominantly from scoria with minor accessions of sedimentary and granitic rocks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigations
observation_date: 1990/02/01
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Xerous to subxerous; a dry site
biological_activity: Nil
surface_weathering: Some dark scoria clasts have a weak polish; calcium carbonate coatings beneath some clasts
previous_disturbance: Probably light treading disturbance; nearby, extensive ground scraping
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 30cm
description:
  Between Scott Base and Crater Hill, almost in a direct line, on the crest of a broad ridge adjacent to a shallow gully from which the snow cover has largely retreated, the site is on a stable surface about 50m southwest of the snowbank in the gully; the first of three sites looking at moisture differences around snow accumulations and beyond

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

soil_parent_matterial:
  Cobbly to bouldery till and slope debris predominantly from scoria with minor accessions of sedimentary and granitic rocks

patterned_ground:
  Weakly developed with some flow features; extensive redevelopment of patterned ground on nearby ground scraped surfaces

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigations
observation_date: 1990/02/01
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Xerous to subxerous; probably some moisture flow at times
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Hummocky ground probably due to subsurface ice melt out
surface_weathering: Greyish unweathered surface, much surface salt in patches
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 20cm
description:
  Between Scott Base and Crater Hill, almost in a direct line, on the undulating floor of a shallow gully; this site is on a small rise on the gully floor, about 20m from the snow bank; the second of a sequence of three sites

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

soil_parent_matterial:
  Cobbly to bouldery till and slope debris predominantly from scoria with minor accessions of sedimentary and granitic rocks

previous_disturbance:
  Probably no physical disturbance but much fine rubbish probably wind blown; this surface is exposed because of snowbank retreat through anthropogenic influence

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigations
observation_date: 1990/02/01
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Xerous to subxerous; surface moist from thawing snow
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Greyish unweathered surface, much surface salt in patches
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 1cm
description:
  Between Scott Base and Crater Hill, almost in a direct line, on the undulating floor of a shallow gully; this site is at the edge of a retreating snowbank on the northern side of the gully; the third of a sequence of three sites

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

soil_parent_matterial:
  Cobbly to bouldery till and slope debris predominantly from scoria with minor accessions of sedimentary and granitic rocks

previous_disturbance:
  Probably no physical disturbance but some fine rubbish probably wind blown; this surface is exposed because of snowbank retreat through anthropogenic influence

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigations
observation_date: 1990/02/02
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: No
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Constructed fill material derived locally from McMurdo Volcanics and drift cover deposits
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Xerous to subxerous; light snow on the soil surface
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >95cm
description:
  Northwest of Scott Base, above the roadway and on the recently constructed pipeline track (December 1989); at the north end just before the bend where the pipeline turns then passes down hill; approximately 35m from a rock cutting

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

previous_disturbance:
  Surface constructed as a pipeline track in December 1989; construction recently finished, pipes not yet installed

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost and soil moisture investigations
observation_date: 1990/02/02
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: No
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Constructed fill material derived locally from McMurdo Volcanics and drift cover deposits
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Xerous to subxerous; light snow on the soil surface
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Nil
previous_disturbance: Surface constructed as a pipeline track; construction recently finished (December 1989)
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Dry frozen
frozen_comment: >95cm
description:
  Northwest of Scott Base, above the roadway and on the recently constructed pipeline track; at the north end just before the bend where the pipeline turns then passes down hill; 70m SW of site 597 and 25m north of battered section

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil contamination examination
observation_date: 1990/02/05
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: Lscp
field_samples: Yes
description: At Scott Base 1.5m from the old Scott Base lab building
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Some surface thaw water during summer; currently dry but frozen to the surface
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Nil
previous_disturbance: Disturbed surface with numerous items of anthropic debris, wood fragments, fibres; plastics etc
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 2cm
geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

soil_parent_matterial:
  Drift deposit from McMurdo Volcanics, with some surface modification and site levelling from base site occupation

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil contamination examination
observation_date: 1990/02/05
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Some surface thaw water during summer; currently dry but frozen to within 2cm of the surface
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Nil
previous_disturbance: Disturbed surface with numerous items of anthropic debris
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 2cm
description:
  At Scott Base outside the entrance to the old Mess Hut, approximately 8m SE from the existing Scott Base Mess room

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

soil_parent_matterial:
  Drift deposit from McMurdo Volcanics, with some surface modification from site levelling for base site occupation; some foreign debris

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil contamination examination
observation_date: 1990/02/05
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: Lscp
field_samples: No
description: Near an old sump site, 3m south of the southern corner of the current Scott Base Bar
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Some surface thaw water during summer; currently dry but frozen to 1cm of the surface
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Nil
previous_disturbance: Disturbed surface from base site occupation with numerous items of anthropic debris
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 1cm
geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

soil_parent_matterial:
  Drift deposit from McMurdo Volcanics, with some surface modification from base site occupation; some foreign debris

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil contamination examination from a previous fuel leakage situation
observation_date: 1990/02/06
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: Cs Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy to silty drift with some scattered small scoria boulders
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Some dried algae at the surface
patterned_ground: Nil but indications of some flow feaatures
surface_weathering: Unweathered surface but calcium carbonate accumulations beneath some surface clasts
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 45cm
description:
  Near the northwest end of Scott Base buildings and 30m from a survey benchmark; 5m downslope from a post carrying lines; 2m downslope from the fuel pipeline from McMurdo Station; the site is at the lower end of a sloping hollow, perhaps a nivation cirque in otherwise gently sloping terrain

geological_setting:
  Rocks are predominantly scoria flows of the McMurdo Volcanics; Last Glaciation Ross 1 ice covered the site and traces of rocks (sandstone and granite granules and small pebbles) probably from the Royal Society Range can be found; the drift mantle is thin and patchy with bedrock a little below the surface; the site appears to have an accumulation of some finer textured sediment or drift material

soil_moisture_status:
  Some surface thaw water during summer; site often moist; some snow patches from recent snowfall; just above the frozen ground, material resembling compacted snow was noted

previous_disturbance:
  Treading activity and probably some mechanical disturbance; fuel leakage from pipe joints observed on previous occasions

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil contamination examination from a previous up-slope fuel leakage
observation_date: 1990/02/06
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: Cs Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy to silty drift with some scattered small scoria boulders
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Some surface thaw water during summer; site often moist
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Nil but indications of some flow features
surface_weathering: Unweathered surface but calcium carbonate accumulations beneath some surface clasts
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 36cm
description:
  Near the northwest end of Scott Base buildings and 30m from a survey benchmark; 20m down slope from a post carrying lines; 22m down slope from the fuel pipeline from McMurdo Station; the site down slope of a hollow; in otherwise gently sloping terrain

geological_setting:
  Rocks are predominantly scoria flows of the McMurdo Volcanics; Last Glaciation Ross 1 ice covered the site and traces of rocks (sandstone and granite granules and small pebbles) probably from the Royal Society Range can be found; the drift mantle is thin and patchy with bedrock a little below the surface; the site appears to have an accumulation of some finer textured sediment or drift material

previous_disturbance:
  Treading activity and probably some mechanical disturbance from base activity; fuel leakage from pipe joints observed 20m up-slope on previous occasions

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Lithium chloride leaching experiment; first resample
observation_date: 1990/02/07
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Some small yellow lichen and small moss occurrences
patterned_ground: Weakly developed small net with indistinct borders
surface_weathering: Carbonate coatings on underside of surface clasts; some small patchy salt precipitations
previous_disturbance: Probably some minor treading
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 20cm
description:
  Approximately 350m northwest of the western end of Scott Base on a gently sloping step on a minor ridge, about 50m north of the Scott Base to McMurdo Station walking track; a generally bouldery surface; at this site, 4 contiguous 1m X 1m plots were set out and 3 irrigated with LiCl, the 4th (southernmost) with H2O; this was the first of the plot samplings

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

soil_parent_matterial:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 112 characters]

soil_moisture_status:
  Oceanic subxerous; a dry site with no adjacent permanent snowbanks; a little snow on the ground surface from a recent fall

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1990/02/07
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a dry site with little snow accumulation or water activity
biological_activity: Some small yellow lichen and small moss occurrences
patterned_ground: Weakly developed small net with indistinct borders
surface_weathering: Carbonate coatings on underside of surface clasts; some small patchy salt precipitations
previous_disturbance: Probably some minor treading
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 20cm
reason:
  Lithium chloride leaching experiment; first resample 1m downslope to determine if downslope leaching has occurred

description:
  Approximately 350m northwest of the western end of Scott Base on a gently sloping step on a minor ridge, about 50m north of the Scott Base to McMurdo Station walking track; a generally bouldery surface; at this site, 4 contiguous 1m X 1m plots were set out and 3 irrigated with LiCl, the 4th (southernmost) with H2O; this was the first of the plot samplings 1m downslope from the application plot

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

soil_parent_matterial:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 112 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Lithium chloride leaching experiment; first resample from 'wet' gully site
observation_date: 1990/02/08
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a 'wet' site in a gully below a snow patch which thaws in some years
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Weakly developed frost heave polygons
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 24cm
description:
  Approximately 350m northwest of the western end of Scott Base in the floor of a shallow gully, 20m NW of site 587 and 3-4m lower in altitude; about 50m north of the Scott Base to McMurdo Station; at this site, 4 contiguous 1m X 1m plots were set out and 3 irrigated with LiCl, the 4th (northernmost) with H2O; this sampling was from the first application plot

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

soil_parent_matterial:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 112 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1990/02/08
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a 'wet' site in a gully below a snow patch which thaws in some years
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Weakly developed frost heave polygons
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 20cm
reason:
  Lithium chloride leaching experiment; first resample from 'wet' gully site 1m down slope to determine if there is lateral leaching

description:
  Approximately 350m northwest of the western end of Scott Base in the floor of a shallow gully, 20m NW of site 587 and 3-4m lower in altitude; about 50m north of the Scott Base to McMurdo Station; at this site, 4 contiguous 1m X 1m plots were set out and 3 irrigated with LiCl, the 4th (northernmost) with H2O; this sampling was from 1m down slope from the first application plot

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

soil_parent_matterial:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 112 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost and soil moisture investigations
observation_date: 1990/02/09
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: No
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: A dry site presently not receiving runoff flows; a thin patchy snow cover was present
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: The site was formed from road construction activity
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Very firm ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 50cm
description:
  Part of an old disused road surface south of 'The Gap' about 250m from the coast; the road was formed in the middle 1960's but was abandoned later as different routes to the sea ice were established; the road was formed from constructed materials; the ground surface is now uneven

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

soil_parent_matterial:
  Scoria fill material derived from around McMurdo through ground scraping of the active layer; the upper part of the soil is strongly compacted

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost and soil moisture investigations
observation_date: 1990/02/09
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
field_samples: No
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Nil
frozen_type: unconsolidated ice-cemented
description:
  Southwest end of 'The Gap' on a recently levelled area of land for construction and storage activity; at the southern side near the foot of Observation Hill

geological_setting:
  Rocks are predominantly scoria flows of the McMurdo Volcanics; Last Glaciation Ross 1 ice covered the site and traces of rocks (sandstone and granite granules and small pebbles) probably from the Royal Society Range can be found; the drift mantle is thin and patchy with bedrock a little below the surface; locally much ground surface scraping has occurred

soil_parent_matterial:
  Scoria fill and basaltic flow material derived from around McMurdo through ground scraping of the active layer; the upper part of the soil is strongly compacted

soil_moisture_status:
  A dry site presently not receiving runoff; water may have been added during fill and compaction activity

previous_disturbance:
  This area has been subject to previous heavy disturbance, rubbish dumping but now under fuel storage tanks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost and soil moisture investigations
observation_date: 1990/02/09
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Locally derived drift deposits from scoria
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 0cm
description:
  A flat surface at the back (NW side) of the field store (old hanger) building, 11m from the NW corner and 2m from the edge of the building

geological_setting:
  Rocks are predominantly scoria flows of the McMurdo Volcanics; Last Glaciation Ross 1 ice covered the site and traces of rocks (sandstone and granite granules and small pebbles) probably from the Royal Society Range can be found; the drift mantle is thin and patchy with bedrock a little below the surface; locally some ground surface scraping has occurred

soil_moisture_status:
  The site close to the building accumulates snow and is often wet in summer from snow thaw and water runoff

previous_disturbance:
  Site was disturbed for building construction and receives periodic disturbance from snow clearing activities

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Mineralogical and weathering examination
observation_date: 1990/01/23
authors: IBC, GGGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: sampled only for mineralogical examination
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Micro cryic features; many rock fragments lying vertically
surface_weathering: Surface erratics indicate subsequent ice-sheet over-riding
previous_disturbance: Engineering examinations
description:
  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'

geological_setting:
  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

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1991/11/16
authors: IBC, GGC
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Slightly moist; no snow patches adjacent
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Disturbed with remnant sand wedges
surface_weathering: Unweathered
previous_disturbance: Ground scraping for soil materials
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  On a bulldozed ridge surface, approximately 1km south of McMurdo Station; the surface has been earlier scraped for earth material and subsequent ground thawing has exposed the natural patterned ground formation; the soil material sampled is in the exposed patterned ground cracks

geological_setting:
  The local rocks are scoria flows of the McMurdo Volcanics with a thin cover of drift materials; the landscape originally had a patterned ground covered surface; removal of the surficial material with subsequent thawing has exposed the patterned ground network and the patterned ground cracks have apparent sand wedge infillings with grey sand with a distinctly different colour from the surrounding volcanic materials; many of the larger particles are rounded and included rounded quartz grains indicating a foreign source

soil_parent_matterial:
  Granular sand with the coarse fraction from volcanic sources and the fine fraction from windblown materials

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1991/11/19
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: Cs Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SW
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Stony till with 70-80% coarse material from predominantly granitic rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
patterned_ground: Weakly developed 12-15m nets with 10cm troughs; cracks are open
previous_disturbance: Extensive mechanical and human activity in the region since the mid-1950's
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 70cm
reason:
  Permafrost and soil moisture examinations and soil temperature recording; a datalogger with 6 temperature probes to 65cm depth was installed at this site for continuous recording over several years; the teemperature records are available

description:
  Approximately 4.2km NW of Marble Point peninsula and approximately 300m W of the Marble Point Air Facility; about 400m from the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; a slightly hummocky moraine surface with low knolls up to about 2m high; the site is on a gentle slope below the crest of the knoll

geological_setting:
  The surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the Marble Point region is an old landscape, with deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks; granodiorite, granite, marble, gneiss, and dolerite are the main rock types present; slightly weathered material occurs at 110cm depth

soil_moisture_status:
  Upper soil horizons were slightly moist alongside a small retreating snow patch in a small adjacent hollow

biological_activity:
  Mosses in moist hollows and incipient water channels; cyanobacteria in ponded areas; nil observed at the site

surface_weathering:
  Coarse clasts angular but with slight abrasion; coarse grained granite and marble are crumbly; some basement rocks with distinct surface oxidation

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost and soil moisture examinations
observation_date: 1991/11/21
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel till from mixed granite, gneiss and marble
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: A dry site with no surface water flows; no snow cover, snow thaw or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil at site but locally moss and algae in damp or wet sites
patterned_ground: Weakly developed 20-25m nets; 5-10cm troughs with open cracks
previous_disturbance: Extensive mechanical and human activity in the region since the mid-1950's
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 35cm
description:
  Approximately 4.4km NW of Marble Point peninsula and approximately 400m W of the Marble Point Air Facility; about 100m from the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; on the crest of a slight rise between two depressions

geological_setting:
  The surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the Marble Point region is an old landscape, with deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks; granodiorite, granite, marble, gneiss, and dolerite are the main rock types present

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders are angular with some slight surface staining; some smaller clasts moderately oxidised; active exfoliation and fragmentation of granular clasts; a few surface salt efflorescences

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost and soil moisture examinations
observation_date: 1991/11/21
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel till from mixed granite, gneiss and marble, with minor surface fluvial sorting
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Presently dry but moist with a thin surface water flow in some summers
biological_activity: Dried cyanobacteria; scattered moss patches adjacent to larger boulders
patterned_ground: Micro polygon nets
previous_disturbance: Extensive mechanical and human activity in the region since the mid-1950's
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 16cm
description:
  Approximately 4.4km NW of Marble Point peninsula and 450m W of the Marble Point Air Facility; about 40m from the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; on a surface that receives summer meltwater runoff as sheet flow during thaw; not a distinct stream channel

geological_setting:
  The surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the Marble Point region is an old landscape, with deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks; granodiorite, granite, marble, gneiss, and dolerite are the main rock types present; sheet flow probably results in some minor sorting of the till deposits

surface_weathering:
  Larger clasts are angular to subrounded with some weak staining; some staining along cracks and veins; marble clasts actively crumbling; spalling in fine grained rocks is common

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1991/11/22
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery sandy gravel till
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Dry at the edge of the patterned ground crack; no indication of an underlying ice wedge
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Weakly developed 20m nets; 5cm troughs with active open cracks
previous_disturbance: Extensive mechanical and human activity in the region since the mid-1950's
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 18cm
reason:
  Permafrost and soil moisture examinations; investigation of moisture differences at a patterned ground crack

description:
  Approximately 4.5km NW of Marble Point peninsula and W of the Marble Point Air Facility; about 100m from the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; on a surface about 1m from a small thawing snow patch; in the center of a patterned ground crack; a gently sloping surface, half way between a knoll crest and a pond at the foot of the slope

geological_setting:
  The surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the Marble Point region is an old landscape, with deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks; granodiorite, granite, marble, gneiss, and dolerite

surface_weathering:
  Most boulders angular and unstained; a few with distinct oxide staining; a moderately developed pebble and cobble pavement; calcium carbonate coatings beneath many surface clasts; some surface salt efflorescences adjacent to thawing snow patches

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1991/11/22
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery sandy gravel till
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Dry 1m from the patterned ground crack
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Weakly developed 20m nets; 5cm troughs with active open cracks
previous_disturbance: Extensive mechanical and human activity in the region since the mid-1950's
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 45cm
reason:
  Permafrost and soil moisture examinations; investigation of moisture differences at a patterned ground crack

description:
  Approximately 4.5km NW of Marble Point peninsula and W of the Marble Point Air Facility; about 100m from the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; on a surface near a small thawing snow patch; 1m from a shallow patterned ground crack and site 616; a gently sloping surface, half way between a knoll crest and a pond at the foot of the slope

geological_setting:
  The surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the Marble Point region is an old landscape, with deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks; granodiorite, granite, marble, gneiss, and dolerite

surface_weathering:
  Most boulders angular and unstained; a few with distinct oxide staining; a moderately developed pebble and cobble pavement; calcium carbonate coatings beneath many surface clasts; some surface salt efflorescences adjacent to thawing snow patches

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Permafrost and soil moisture examinations; investigation of differences at a patterned ground crack
observation_date: 1991/11/22
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery sandy gravel till
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Dry site with no snow thaw k
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Weakly developed 20m nets; 5cm troughs with active open cracks
previous_disturbance: Extensive mechanical and human activity in the region since the mid-1950's
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 45cm
description:
  Approximately 4.5km NW of Marble Point peninsula and W of the Marble Point Air Facility; about 100m from the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; on a surface near a small thawing snow patch; 50cm from a shallow patterned ground crack; a gently sloping surface, half way between a knoll crest and a pond at the foot of the slope; the site is between site 616 and 517

geological_setting:
  The surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the Marble Point region is an old landscape, with deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks; granodiorite, granite, marble, gneiss, and dolerite

surface_weathering:
  Most boulders angular and unstained; a few with distinct oxide staining; a moderately developed pebble and cobble pavement; calcium carbonate coatings beneath many surface clasts; some surface salt efflorescences adjacent to thawing snow patches

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1991/11/22
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery sandy gravel till
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Weakly developed 20m nets; 5cm troughs with active open cracks
previous_disturbance: Extensive mechanical and human activity in the region since the mid-1950's
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 10cm
reason:
  Permafrost and soil moisture examinations; investigation of differences between a moist site and adjacent dry sites

description:
  Approximately 4.5km NW of Marble Point peninsula and W of the Marble Point Air Facility; about 100m from the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; on a surface near a small thawing snow patch; 3m from site 617 in a moist zone down slope from a small thawing snow patch; a gently sloping surface, half way between a knoll crest and a pond at the foot of the slope

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 518 characters]

soil_moisture_status:
  The surface soil is moist adjacent to a small thawing snow patch; frozen ground is at 10cm, shallower than adjacent soils because more solar energy is used in freezing and thawing the moist soil than for general soil heating

surface_weathering:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 245 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil water rate of loss investigation
observation_date: 1991/11/23
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel till from predominantly granitic rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Weakly developed 20m nets; 5cm troughs with active open cracks
surface_weathering: A predominantly pebble gravel pavement; non to weakly stained
previous_disturbance: Extensive mechanical and human activity in the region since the mid-1950's
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  Approximately 4.6km NW of Marble Point peninsula and W of the Marble Point Air Facility; about 100m from the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; on a surface adjacent to a small thawing snow patch; the samples were collected from the moist soil at the edge of the snow and at intervals over a 4m distance to beyond the visible wetting front

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 518 characters]

soil_moisture_status:
  The soil is moist adjacent to the small snow patch which was retreating; beyond the visible wetting front, the soil surface was dry

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil water rate of loss investigation
observation_date: 1991/11/23
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel till from predominantly granitic rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Weakly developed 20m nets; 5cm troughs with active open cracks
surface_weathering: A predominantly pebble gravel pavement; non to weakly stained
previous_disturbance: Extensive mechanical and human activity in the region since the mid-1950's
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  Approximately 4.6km NW of Marble Point peninsula and W of the Marble Point Air Facility; about 100m from the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; on a surface adjacent to a small thawing snow patch; the samples were collected daily on a transect line parallel to and 1m distance from the thawing snow front, to measure the rate at which water was lost from the soil after being moistened by thee adjacent thawing snow

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 518 characters]

soil_moisture_status:
  The soil is moist adjacent to the small snow patch which was retreating; as the snow front retreated, soils on the transect line became dry

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigations
observation_date: 1991/11/25
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: N
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till from marble; granodiorite, gneiss and other rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: A dry site, no adjacent snow patches or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: 10-15m nets with 15-20cm troughs; open cracks, some partly snow filled
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 50cm
description:
  Approximately 4.4km NW of Marble Point peninsula and 250m NW of the Marble Point Air Facility buildings; on a knoll of moraine about 5m high that forms a low hummocky ridge; on the ridge crest

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 518 characters]

surface_weathering:
  A predominantly cobble pavement with some boulders; surface granules are angular and mainly unstained; grey calcium carbonate coatings on undersides of many surface stones; granular disintegration of marble clasts and some oxidation of gneissic clasts

previous_disturbance:
  Extensive mechanical and human activity in the region since the mid-1950's; a pit examined 3m away in 1990

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigations
observation_date: 1991/11/25
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel fill from granite, marble and gneiss
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: A dry site, no adjacent snow patches or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Extensive construction activity and earth-moving in the late 1950's
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 50cm
description:
  Approximately 4.3km NE of Marble Point on the east side of the runway near the northern end; on a mound of earth material formed by earth-moving activity

geological_setting:
  The surface adjacent to the airstrip has been heavily disturbed during the runway construction; areas of cut and fill deposits and side-castings are common; the rocks are dominantly granodiorite;, granite, marble and gneiss; the site was examined to assess the extent of water accumulation in the permafrost 35 years after the construction activity

surface_weathering:
  A weakly developed pebble pavement; a few clasts are partly oxidised, probably representing pre-weathering

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigations
observation_date: 1991/11/26
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Approximately 75cm of sandy gravel fill, from marble, granite and gneiss
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: A dry site, no adjacent snow patches or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Extensive construction activity and earth-moving in the late 1950's
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 90cm
description:
  Approximately 4.3km NE of Marble Point on the east side of the runway, approximately 100m from the NE end; a sidecast mound about 1m high in gently sloping terrain, formed by previous bulldozing in the 1950's; the ssite is at the centre of the mound

geological_setting:
  The surface adjacent to the airstrip has been heavily disturbed during the runway construction; areas of cut and fill deposits and side-castings are common; the rocks are dominantly granodiorite, granite, marble and gneiss; the site was examined to assess the extent of water accumulation in the permafrost 35 years after the construction activity

surface_weathering:
  Surface clasts are a mixture of unoxidised clasts and partly oxidised clasts; many clasts have calcium carbonate coatings

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1991/11/25
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Partly oxidised sandy gravel undifferentiated drift
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: A dry site, a few local snow patches but no soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: No major past human activity but recent vehicle travel by large wide tyred Delta
soil_weathering: 4
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Approximately 800m SW of Marble Point; on the peninsula; on an uneven slightly stepped rising surface and a flattish site near the ridge crest

geological_setting:
  Bedrock outcrops in places on the Marble Point Peninsula and is partly covered with patchy drift and some large granite erratics; patches of reddish brown soil occur in places

surface_weathering:
  A well developed pebble pavement; scattered small to medium boulders mainly rounded, some partly oxidised; the weathering may be relict


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1991/11/25
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Partly oxidised sandy gravel undifferentiated drift
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: A dry site, a few local snow patches but no soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: No major past human activity but recent vehicle travel by large wide tyred Delta
soil_weathering: 5
description:
  Approximately 800m SW of Marble Point; on the peninsula; on an uneven slightly stepped rising surface and a flattish site near the ridge crest; about 100m E of site 625

geological_setting:
  Bedrock outcrops in places on the Marble Point Peninsula and is partly covered with patchy drift and some large granite erratics; scattered kenyite clasts indicate the surface was covered by Ross Glaciation ice; patches of reddish brown soil occur in places

surface_weathering:
  A well developed pebble pavement; scattered small to medium boulders mainly rounded, some partly oxidised

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigation
observation_date: 1991/11/27
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery gravel till with sand between rocks forming thin wedges, from mixed lithology rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Some snow in adjacent hollows; soil is dry;
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Very weak broad nets
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 50cm
description:
  200m N of the Marble Point Air Facility buildings on a rocky knoll; a small and low bouldery moraine ridge about 2m above the surrounding terrain;

geological_setting:
  The surface is undulating with intermittent deposits of till; the region is an old landscape of granite and granodiorite, gneiss and marble rocks; there are some old weathering and phillipsite deposits, the land surface has been over-ridden by later Ross Glacial advances; at the site thin young till overlies gneiss bedrock

surface_weathering:
  Angular and partly rounded boulders with active cleaving; negligible surface oxidation; pavement is well developed where the surface dominantly pebbly; calcium carbonate coatings are prominent beneath surface clasts

previous_disturbance:
  No physical disturbance at the site; extensive prior human activity from runway construction in the 1950's; some litter and other debris

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigation
observation_date: 1991/11/28
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Granitic and dioritic till over dioritic bedrock
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: A dry site with no thaw seepages; residual snow 10m away; no soil moistening evident
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil at site but the site is adjacent to a bulldozed track 10m away
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 52cm
description:
  Approximately 350m NNE of the Marble Point Air facility buildings; on the lower slopes of a marble ridge outcrop, a few metres above a till plane surface; the site is a low mound about 1m high

geological_setting:
  Above the till plane surface, till deposits are scarce and marble outcrops extensively; small pockets of shallow drift are present; the marble bedrock is crumbly with active granular disintegration; at the site, the soil shows some strong oxidation below a thin drift cover and may be part of a former weathering landscape

surface_weathering:
  A well developed pebble and cobble pavement with some boulders; larger clasts subrounded and subangular; surface staining on some clasts; some clasts partly crumbled

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigation; comparison with adjacent site 628
observation_date: 1991/11/28
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Granitic and dioritic undifferentiated till over fragmented bedrock
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: A dry site with no thaw seepages; residual snow 10m away; no soil moistening evident
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Nil at site but the site is adjacent to a bulldozed track 10m away
soil_weathering: 1;4/5
frozen_depth_unit: > cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: >57cm
description:
  Approximately 350m NNE of the Marble Point Air facility buildings; on the lower slopes of a marble ridge outcrop, a few metres above a till plane surface; the site is a low mound about 1m high and 2.5m from site 628

geological_setting:
  Above the till plane surface, till deposits are scarce and marble outcrops extensively; small pockets of shallow drift are present; the marble bedrock is crumbly with active granular disintegration; at the site, the soil shows some strong oxidation to the surface and lacks the thin cover of young drift at site 628

surface_weathering:
  A well developed pebble and cobble pavement; surface staining on some clasts; some clasts partly crumbled

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigation; examination on beach ridge surfaces of differing ages
observation_date: 1991/11/29
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Weakly sorted sandy bouldery gravel of mixed lithology
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: A dry site with no thaw seepages; residual snow in adjacent hollows; no soil moistening evident
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Hummocky rectangular nets, 3m across with 25cm deep troughs
previous_disturbance: Human visitation with some old soil pit sites
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 48cm
description:
  Approximately 200m from the coast in Arnold Cove; ENE from the S end of the Marble Point Air Facility; on the uppermost clearly defined raised beach surface; a hummocky narrow ridge surface on the crest of the ridge

geological_setting:
  The Marble Point beach ridges are a well defined set of raised beaches; they are though to have formed due to isostatic uplift; the age may range from 10,000 years; the lithology is mixed granite, gneiss, marble with kenyite in places; surface boulders are well rounded but clasts below the surface are subangular; sorting due to beach processes may only have been superficial

surface_weathering:
  Surface clasts are subrounded; numerous pebbles and cobbles showing some oxide staining on all sides; some exfoliation and fragmentation; very strong granular disintegration of marble; the near coastal (salty) environment appears to encourage more extensive surface oxidation

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigation; examination on beach ridge surfaces of differing ages
observation_date: 1991/11/29
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Weakly sorted sandy bouldery gravel of mixed lithology; some shell fragments present
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: A dry site with no thaw seepages; residual snow in adjacent hollows; no soil moistening evident
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Weakly developed rectangular nets with 20cm deep troughs; some troughs closed with sand fillings
surface_weathering: Bouldery gravel; many granodiorites have distinct oxidation
previous_disturbance: Human visitation with some old soil pit sites
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 38cm
description:
  Approximately 150m from the coast in Arnold Cove; east from the S end of the Marble Point Air Facility; on the second clearly defined raised beach surface; a narrow ridge surface with a 10m 1o backslope and a 10o foreslope; on the crest of the ridge

geological_setting:
  The Marble Point beach ridges are a well defined set of raised beaches; they are though to have formed due to isostatic uplift; the age may range from 10,000 years; the lithology is mixed granite, gneiss, marble with kenyite in places; surface boulders are well rounded but clasts below the surface are subangular; sorting due to beach processes may only have been superficial

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigation; examination on beach ridge surfaces of differing ages
observation_date: 1991/11/30
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: Cs Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Wind blown sand over beach gravel
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: A moist site; soil moistened from nearby snow melt
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Human visitation with some old soil pit sites
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 10cm
description:
  Approximately 155m from the coast in Arnold Cove; east from the S end of the Marble Point Air Facility; on a backslope hollow of the second clearly defined raised beach surface

geological_setting:
  The Marble Point beach ridges are a well defined set of raised beaches; they are though to have formed due to isostatic uplift; the age may range from 10,000 years; the lithology is mixed granite, gneiss, marble with kenyite in places; the backslope sediments are sandy but may be wind accumulated

surface_weathering:
  Marble clasts are distinctly crumbled; distinct surface oxidation and crumbling of some gneiss and granodiorite clasts

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigation; examination on beach ridge surfaces of differing ages
observation_date: 1991/11/30
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: Cs Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery raised beach gravel from rocks of mixed lithology
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: A dry site, no adjacent snow or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Indistinct net pattern with broad, shallow sand-filled inactive cracks
previous_disturbance: Human visitation with some old soil pit sites
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 50cm
description:
  Approximately 100m from the coast in Arnold Cove; east from the S end of the Marble Point Air Facility; on the third from the topmost distinct beach ridge surface; near the crest of the ridge

geological_setting:
  The Marble Point beach ridges are a well defined set of raised beaches; they are though to have formed due to isostatic uplift; the age may range from 10,000 years; the lithology is mixed granite, gneiss, granodiorite marble with kenyite in places

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders and cobbles rounded but subsurface clasts at lower depth are subangular; granite boulders are disintegrating and some granodiorite clasts are distinctly oxidised and partly crumbly; the oxidation intensity appears to increase with proximity to the coast and may be a result of marine influence

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination of a rock sample on a raised beach surface
observation_date: 1991/11/30
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Oxidised granodiorite boulder
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: A dry site, no adjacent snow or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Indistinct net pattern with shallow sand-filled inactive cracks
previous_disturbance: Human visitation with some old soil pit sites
soil_weathering: 3
description:
  Approximately 90m from the coast in Arnold Cove; east from the S end of the Marble Point Air Facility; just below the crest of the third from the topmost distinct beach ridge surface

geological_setting:
  The Marble Point beach ridges are a well defined set of raised beaches; they are though to have formed due to isostatic uplift; the age may range from 10,000 years; the lithology is mixed granite, gneiss, granodiorite marble with kenyite in places; some boulders are oxidised and partly crumbled

surface_weathering:
  Surface boulders and cobbles rounded but subsurface clasts at lower depth are subangular; granite boulders are disintegrating and some granodiorite clasts are distinctly oxidised and partly crumbly; the oxidation intensity appears to increase with proximity to the coast and may be a result of marine influence

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigation; examination on beach ridge surfaces of differing ages
observation_date: 1991/11/30
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: A dry site, no adjacent snow or soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Human visitation with some old soil pit sites
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 62cm
description:
  Approximately 70m from the coast in Arnold Cove; east from the S end of the Marble Point Air Facility; on the crest of the lowermost distinct beach ridge

geological_setting:
  The Marble Point beach ridges are a well defined set of raised beaches; they are though to have formed due to isostatic uplift; the age may range from 10,000 years; the lithology is mixed granite, gneiss, granodiorite marble with kenyite in places; some boulders are oxidised and partly crumbled

soil_parent_matterial:
  Weakly sorted bouldery gravel from rocks of mixed lithology, granite; granodiorite; marble gneiss and some kenyite

surface_weathering:
  Boulders larger and less weathered than on upper beach ridge surfaces; many have strong patchy surface oxidation; a few surface salt patches

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1991/12/01
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy gravel till from gneiss, marble and granodiorite rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Dry at site with no soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad nets
surface_weathering: Clasts mainly unstained, angular to subangular; some disintegration of marble clasts
previous_disturbance: Site disturbed by previous sampling on 19/1/90
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Frozen ground over ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 45cm
reason:
  Soil moisture and permafrost investigation; resample of 1990 site 566 for moisture difference comparison

description:
  Approximately 4.2km from Marble Point and 400m from the Marble Point Air Facility; about 300m E of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; on a gently undulating moraine surface

geological_setting:
  The surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; The Marble Point region is an old landscape, as evidenced by deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1991/12/01
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery sandy gravel from granodiorite and marble with inclusions of other rock types
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Dry at site with no soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil at site; moss patches and cyanobacteria are common locally
patterned_ground: Broad nets with 20cm troughs
previous_disturbance: Site disturbed by previous sampling on 19/1/90
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Firmly frozen over hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 50cm
reason:
  Soil moisture and permafrost investigation; resample of 1990 site 567 for moisture difference comparison

description:
  Near an old stream channel, approximately 150m W of the Marble Point runway near the northern end; on the flattish crest of a small hillock forming part of a linear ridge with 2-3m relief; at the site of soil 567 sampled in 1990

geological_setting:
  The surface is an undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the Marble Point region is an old landscape, with deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier

surface_weathering:
  Clasts mainly unstained, angular to subangular and non ventiform; weakly developed pavement; some granular disintegration of marble clasts

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil examination and characterisation
observation_date: 1991/12/02
authors: IBC
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: S
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sorted coarse beach gravel
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Patchy snow drift but a dry site with no soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil at site, cyanobacterial mats are common in the area; considerable local skua activity
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Much low intensity human activity in the area
soil_weathering: 1
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Approximately 300m to the west of Cape Roberts and 70m from the northern coast; on a south sloping gravel beach ridge

geological_setting:
  The rocks of the area are granodiorites and gneisses that have been planed by ice and possibly modified by wave action; bedrock outcrops are partly covered with, patchy beach gravels

surface_weathering:
  Oxide staining on some surface rocks; clasts mainly subrounded due to beach abrasion; some granular disintegration of granitic clasts


observation_date: 1991/12/03
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy to silty granitic and granodioritic stony till
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Patchy snow on adjacent side slopes; soil surface is dry
patterned_ground: Nets 15-20m across with active cracks 20-30cm deep
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 49cm
reason:
  Soil moisture & permafrost investigations; toposequence and landscape relationship differences; first in sequence

description:
  About 200m to the west of the northern end of the Marble Point runway and east of a small lake; a slightly hummocky low moraine ridge alongside and north of a small flat hollow; on the crest of the ridge; the first of a series of adjacent sites

geological_setting:
  The surface is undulating with deposits of till; the region is an old landscape of granite and granodiorite, gneiss and marble rocks; there are some old weathering and phillipsite deposits in the region; the till has probably come from the Wilson Piedmont Glacier and includes granodiorite, gneiss, marble and some dolerite; the till is silty in places and this may have resulted from postglacial fluvial activity

biological_activity:
  Some yellow lichen in patterned ground cracks; also some black dried cyanobacterial matter; some nearby moss patches

surface_weathering:
  Non pavementic with predominantly small boulders and cobbles and subangular to angular; distinct oxidation and staining on some clasts may in part be pre-weathering

previous_disturbance:
  Extensive construction, earthmoving and human activity in the late 1950's in the general area; some nearby bulldozer tracks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1991/12/04
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: Cs Lscp & Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: S
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sandy to silty granitic and granodioritic stony till
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Patchy snow on adjacent side slopes; soil surface is dry
patterned_ground: Nets 15-20m across with active cracks 20cm deep
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 50cm
reason:
  Soil moisture & permafrost investigations; toposequence and landscape relationship differences; second in sequence

description:
  About 200m to the west of the northern end of the Marble Point runway and east of a small lake; a slightly hummocky low moraine ridge alongside and north of a small flat hollow; just below the crest of the ridge on the south slope and approximately 15m from site 639

geological_setting:
  The surface is undulating with deposits of till; the region is an old landscape of granite and granodiorite, gneiss and marble rocks; there are some old weathering and phillipsite deposits in the region; the till has probably come from the Wilson Piedmont Glacier and includes granodiorite, gneiss, marble and some dolerite; the till is silty in places and this may have resulted from postglacial fluvial activity

biological_activity:
  Some yellow lichen in patterned ground cracks; also some black dried cyanobacterial matter; some nearby moss patches

surface_weathering:
  Non pavementic with predominantly small boulders and cobbles and subangular to angular; distinct oxidation and staining on some clasts may in part be pre-weathering

previous_disturbance:
  Extensive construction, earthmoving and human activity in the late 1950's in the general area; some nearby bulldozer tracks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1991/12/04
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: Cs Pro & Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Slightly gravelly silty sand
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Dried cyanobacterial mat residues over much of the soil surface
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Surface rocks are angular and unstained; some fragmenting and partly crumbled
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 35cm
reason:
  Soil moisture & permafrost investigations; toposequence and landscape relationship differences; third in sequence

description:
  About 20m to the west of the northern end of the Marble Point runway and east of a small lake; a flat dry hollow, possibly water filled at times; about 10m from the northern edge and about 15m SE from site 640; the hollow may be an old kettle hole

geological_setting:
  The surface is undulating with deposits of till; the region is an old landscape of granite and granodiorite, gneiss and marble rocks; there are some old weathering and phillipsite deposits in the region; the till has probably come from the Wilson Piedmont Glacier and includes granodiorite, gneiss, marble and some dolerite; the till is silty in places and this may have resulted from postglacial fluvial activity

soil_moisture_status:
  The soil is slightly moist; the site probably becomes ponded at times from thawing of snow patches as dried cyanobacterial mats are common on the soil surface

previous_disturbance:
  Extensive construction, earthmoving and human activity in the late 1950's in the general area; some nearby bulldozer tracks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil contamination examination
observation_date: 1991/12/04
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Approximately 75cm of sandy gravel fill, from marble, granite and gneiss
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Nil observed
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: A patchy darkend soil surface
previous_disturbance: Widespread disturbance from previous runway construction and ongoing logistical activities
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  Approximately 4.3km NE of Marble Point on the east side of the runway at the northern end; 5m from site 623; an area of soil with a damp surface appearance that may have been due to a fuel spill

geological_setting:
  The surface adjacent to the airstrip has been heavily disturbed during the runway construction; areas of cut and fill deposits and sidecastings are common; the rocks are dominantly granodiorite;, granite, marble and gneiss; fuel spills around the Marble Point Air Facility have been common

soil_moisture_status:
  No obvious source of moisture; the darkened moist like appearance of the soil surface may be due to a fuel spillage

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil contamination examination
observation_date: 1991/12/05
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Dry at site; no soil moistening evident
biological_activity: Nil at site but mosses and cyanobacteria abundant in moist sites nearby
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Some white salts beneath battery fragments
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  Approximately 600m SW of the S end of the Marble Point runway and 75m N Surko Stream; at the old Marble Point camp site; on ground that had been bulldozed to remove debris from the old camp site; the sample location was at the N edge of a crushed lead acid battery and 30cm further away

geological_setting:
  The surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the Marble Point region is an old landscape, with deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; later ice retreat and glaciological features have been controlled by changes in the stranded Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the till mantle is patchy and dominated largely by locally occurring rocks; granodiorite, granite, marble, gneiss, and dolerite; the surface has been disturbed by mechanical activity

soil_parent_matterial:
  Sandy gravel till, probably disturbed from predominantly gneiss, marble and granodiorite with artefacts from earlier site occupation

previous_disturbance:
  Widespread disturbance from camp site activity and subsequent attempts at site clean up; this site previously sampled on 23/1/1990

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


site_id: 643A
reason: Soil contamination examination
observation_date: 1991/12/05
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
altitude_unit: m
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  cf Site 643. Site 643A was originally coded by IBC & GGC as Site 643d, 643e & 643f. However it is a seperate hole 30cm away from 643, so it recoded as 643Ad, 643Ae & 643Af by RGG, all site fields therefore potentially apply to both holes


reason: Soil contamination examination; at a fire site
observation_date: 1991/12/05
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Dry at site; no soil moistening evident
biological_activity: Nil at site but mosses and cyanobacteria abundant in moist sites nearby
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Surface rocks reddened from fire
previous_disturbance: Widespread disturbance from camp site activity and subsequent attempts at site cleanup
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  Approximately 600m SW of the S end of the Marble Point runway and N of Surko Stream; at the old Marble Point camp site on disturbed ground; the site was 5m W of site 643

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 518 characters]

soil_parent_matterial:
  Sandy gravel till from predominantly gneiss, marble and granodiorite with artefacts and ash residue from earlier site occupation

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering and reference for comparison with adjacent disturbed sites
observation_date: 1991/12/05
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Gravelly till from mixed granodiorite, gneiss and marble
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Recent snow cover completely thawed; soil is slightly moist
biological_activity: Nil at site but moss and cyanobacteria locally common
patterned_ground: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 55cm
description:
  To the west of the disturbed old Marble Point camp area and about 30m E of a gravelly stream embankment ridge; an area apparently undisturbed by mechanical activity; on a very slight rise on an otherwise level surface

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 518 characters]

surface_weathering:
  Some clasts with distinct oxide staining; a well developed pavement of mainly subangular clasts; carbonate coatings are common

previous_disturbance:
  No apparent mechanical disturbance but extensive surface disturbance from walking during earlier camp activity is likely

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1991/12/05
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Weathered gneiss and micaceous rock with strong weathering zonation
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: A dry site, no soil moistening observed
biological_activity: Nil at site but moss and cyanobacteria locally common
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Bluish and greenish decomposed rock material
previous_disturbance: Nil at site
soil_weathering: 5
description:
  Approximately 1km NE of the Marble Point Air Facility on the side of a gently sloping hill with rocky outcrops; approximately 2 thirds way up the slope; a stepped surface and on a level slope

geological_setting:
  The coastal hills of the Marble Point region have an intermittent till mantle and bedrock outcrops in numerous places; the rocks are mainly gneisses and granodiorite; in places decomposed rock material occurs with colours ranging from blackish to reddish brown; these weathered materials may represent residual weathering from an older landscape

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil moisture and permafrost investigaation
observation_date: 1991/12/06
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SW
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Gravelly sand from granodiorite, gneiss and marble with some lake edge sediment reworking
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Moss adjacent, a cyanobacterial mat covers the surface
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Soft moist ground surface
previous_disturbance: Pond levels modified by stopbanking; vehicle traffic route nearby; intermittent human visits
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 10cm
description:
  4m from the north side of a small lake; 300m E of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier and 400m from the SW of the Marble Point Air Facility; a gently sloping lake edge surface

geological_setting:
  The surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the Marble Point region is an old landscape, with deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; the sediments adjacent to the Wilson Piedmont Glacier have been modified by runnoff water flows and fluctuations in pond levels

soil_moisture_status:
  A wet site adjacent to (4m) a small lake; the lake level fluctuates from year to year; adjacent lake level is 10cm below the soil surface

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1991/12/06
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: Yes
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Dry site with no adjacent snow patches
biological_activity: Nil at site but moss and cyanobacteria common in the area
patterned_ground: Nil
surface_weathering: Negligible surface weathering; greenish altered patches
previous_disturbance: Vehicle traffic route nearby; intermittent human visits
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Ice cemented
frozen_comment: 65cm
description:
  .5km E of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier and 100m N of the old Marble Point camp site; on a gently undulating moraine landscape and on a flat site near an old track

geological_setting:
  The surface is a gently undulating till plain formed by retreat of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier; the Marble Point region is an old landscape, with deposits of phillipsite, buried soils and oxidised gneiss, which have been covered by advances of the grounded Ross Ice Shelf; scattered patches of weathered materials with greenish colours occur; these may be weathered granodiorite or rocks with a high micaceous content

soil_parent_matterial:
  Weathered till material with distinct zones ranging from bluish green, grey to pale brown; zoning possibly partly due to ice thrusting or wedging processes

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1991/12/06
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: Yes
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Weathered gneissic rock
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Dry site with no adjacent snow patches
biological_activity: Nil at site but moss and cyanobacteria common in the area
patterned_ground: Nil
previous_disturbance: Vehicle traffic route nearby; intermittent human visits
soil_weathering: 5
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  450m E of the Wilson Piedmont Glacier and 300m S of the Marble Point Air facility Buildings; on a low rocky bedrock knoll near the crest of the knoll and on a flat surface in a slight hollow

geological_setting:
  The basement rocks at Marble Point are complex and included with the granodiorite and gneiss outcrops; in places these appear to have undergone distinct weathering which may represent the residual parts of an earlier weathering landscape

surface_weathering:
  A weakly developed pavement with strongly altered material just beneath the ground surface; the weathering appears to be zoned with mixed red and brownish patches, suggesting that it may be related to mineralogical differences within the basement rock


reason: Leaching experiment using lithium chloride tracer to determine rate of leaching
observation_date: 1991/12/09
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till and slope detritus with minor accessions of sedimentary and granitic rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a dry site with little snow accumulation or water activity
biological_activity: Some local yellow lichen and small moss occurrences
patterned_ground: Weakly developed small nets with distinct borders
surface_weathering: Carbonate coatings on undersides of surface clasts; some thin patchy salt precipitations
previous_disturbance: Probably minor treading
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 30
description:
  Approximately 350m northwest of the western end of Scott Base on a gently sloping step on a minor ridge, about 50m north of the Scott Base to McMurdo Station walking track; a generally bouldery surface; at this site, 4 contiguous 1m X 1m plots were set out and 3 irrigated with LiCl, the 4th (southernmost) with H2O; this was the second plot resampling series; the site is 3m from the edge of the application plot

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Leaching experiment using lithium chloride tracer to determine rate of leaching
observation_date: 1991/12/09
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till and slope detritus with minor accessions of sedimentary and granitic rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a dry site with little snow accumulation or water activity
biological_activity: Some local yellow lichen and small moss occurrences
patterned_ground: Weakly developed small nets with distinct borders
surface_weathering: Carbonate coatings on undersides of surface clasts; some thin patchy salt precipitations
previous_disturbance: Probably minor treading
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 26cm
description:
  Approximately 350m northwest of the western end of Scott Base on a gently sloping step on a minor ridge, about 50m north of the Scott Base to McMurdo Station walking track; a generally bouldery surface; at this site, 4 contiguous 1m X 1m plots were set out and 3 irrigated with LiCl, the 4th (southernmost) with H2O; this was the second plot resampling series; the site is 2m from the edge of the application plot

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1991/12/11
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Stony till from volcanic rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; scattered small snow patches but the site is dry
biological_activity: Nil at site but some local algal accumulations
patterned_ground: Nil; hummocky ground with pronounced mounds may be dirt cones
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cored
frozen_comment: 16cm
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Approximately 950m NE of Cape Evans and 50m SE of the Barne Glacier on a young, very hummocky moraine surface

geological_setting:
  Rocks of the area belong to the McMurdo Volcanics; the deposit is young till from the Barne Glacier from predominantly Kenyite

surface_weathering:
  A moderately developed boulder pebble pavement with some surface granular disintegration; scattered thin salt precipitations


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1991/12/11
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Yellowish silty till
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
biological_activity: Nil at site but some local algal accumulations
patterned_ground: Weakly developed broad nets with 10cm troughs
previous_disturbance: Nil
soil_weathering: 1
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Approximately 850m NE of Cape Evans and 150m SE of the Barne Glacier on a young, undulating moraine surface; the site is on a 50cm high mound approximately 1.5m across in a shallow swale

geological_setting:
  Rocks of the area belong to the McMurdo Volcanics; the moraines are from young till from the Barne Glacier from predominantly Kenyite volcanics; at this site the material is yellowish fine till distinctly demarcated from the adjacent basaltic material

soil_moisture_status:
  Oceanic subxerous; dry at the site but surface soil moistening around the edge of the mound which may be salt induced

surface_weathering:
  A predominantly pebble pavement with occasional small boulders; the mound may be residual or possibly a weathering induced feature


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1991/12/11
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NW
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sorted pebble gravel with occasional small boulders
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; patchy snow cover but site is dry
biological_activity: Nil at site; Skua nesting nearby
patterned_ground: Nil at site
surface_weathering: Surface gravel pavement is rounded and unweathered
previous_disturbance: Probably disturbed by foot traffic from early 1900's
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 40cm
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  300m to the south of Scott's Hut and 15m from the sea ice; a smooth, gently sloping gravelly beach surface;

geological_setting:
  Rocks of the area belong to the McMurdo Volcanics; the beach gravels are recent and derived from local volcanic rocks predominantly Kenyite volcanics


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1991/12/11
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: Yes
field_samples: Yes
description: Greenpeace World Park Base; 10m, to the E of the main base buildings on the gravel foreshore beach
altitude_unit: m
aspect: W
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Sorted pebble gravel with occasional small boulders
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; some snow melt; subsurface soil is moist
biological_activity: Nil at site
patterned_ground: Nil at site
surface_weathering: Surface gravel pavement is rounded and unweathered
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 30cm
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
geological_setting:
  Rocks of the area belong to the McMurdo Volcanics; the beach gravels are recent and derived from local volcanic rocks predominantly Kenyite volcanics

previous_disturbance:
  Extensive treading disturbance from nearby base site activity; possibly some fuel contamination; minor small particle waste material


reason: Leaching experiment using lithium chloride tracer to determine rate of leaching;
observation_date: 1991/12/12
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till and slope detritus with minor accessions of sedimentary and granitic rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a dry site with only occasional soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil at site; some yellow lichen and moss in the vicinity
patterned_ground: Weakly developed small nets
surface_weathering: Carbonate coatings on undersides of surface clasts; some thin patchy salt precipitations
previous_disturbance: Probably some occasional treading
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 26cm
description:
  Approximately 350m northwest of the western end of Scott Base on a gently sloping step on a minor ridge, about 50m north of the Scott Base to McMurdo Station walking track; a generally bouldery surface; at this site, 4 contiguous 1m X 1m plots were set out and 3 irrigated with LiCl, the 4th (southernmost) with H2O; this was the second plot resampling series; the site is 1m (downslope) from the edge of the application plot

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Leaching experiment using lithium chloride tracer to determine rate of leaching;
observation_date: 1991/12/12
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till and slope detritus with minor accessions of sedimentary and granitic rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a dry site with only occasional soil moistening
biological_activity: Nil at site; some yellow lichen and moss in the vicinity
patterned_ground: Weakly developed small nets
surface_weathering: Carbonate coatings on undersides of surface clasts; some thin patchy salt precipitations
previous_disturbance: Probably some occasional treading
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 26cm
description:
  Approximately 350m northwest of the western end of Scott Base on a gently sloping step on a minor ridge, about 50m north of the Scott Base to McMurdo Station walking track; a generally bouldery surface; at this site, 4 contiguous 1m X 1m plots were set out and 3 irrigated with LiCl, the 4th (southernmost) with H2O; this was the second plot resampling series; the site is at the application plot

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1991/12/13
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till and slope detritus with minor accessions of sedimentary and granitic rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a wet site; surface water from recent snow thaw
biological_activity: Nil at site; some yellow lichen and moss in the vicinity
patterned_ground: Weakly developed frost heave polygons
surface_weathering: Scattered basaltic boulders; unweathered
previous_disturbance: Probably some occasional treading
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 20cm
reason:
  Leaching experiment using lithium chloride tracer to determine rate of leaching; a wet site compared with a dry site

description:
  Approximately 350m northwest of the western end of Scott Base in the floor of a shallow gully; 20m NW of site 657 and approximately 3-4m lower in altitude; about 50m N of the Scott base to McMurdo Station walking track; at this site, 4 contiguous 1m X 1m plots were set out and 3 irrigated with LiCl, the 4th (northernmost) with H2O; this was the second plot resampling series; the site is 5m below the application plot

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1991/12/13
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till and slope detritus with minor accessions of sedimentary and granitic rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a wet site; surface water from recent snow thaw
biological_activity: Nil at site; some yellow lichen and moss in the vicinity
patterned_ground: Weakly developed frost heave polygons
surface_weathering: Scattered basaltic boulders; unweathered
previous_disturbance: Probably some occasional treading
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 20cm
reason:
  Leaching experiment using lithium chloride tracer to determine rate of leaching; a wet site compared with a dry site

description:
  Approximately 350m northwest of the western end of Scott Base in the floor of a shallow gully; 20m NW of site 657 and approximately 3-4m lower in altitude; about 50m N of the Scott base to McMurdo Station walking track; at this site, 4 contiguous 1m X 1m plots were set out and 3 irrigated with LiCl, the 4th (northernmost) with H2O; this was the second plot resampling series; the site is 2.7m below the application plot

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1991/12/13
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till and slope detritus with minor accessions of sedimentary and granitic rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a wet site; surface water from recent snow thaw
biological_activity: Nil at site; some yellow lichen and moss in the vicinity
patterned_ground: Weakly developed frost heave polygons
surface_weathering: Scattered basaltic boulders; unweathered
previous_disturbance: Probably some occasional treading
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 20cm
reason:
  Leaching experiment using lithium chloride tracer to determine rate of leaching; a wet site compared with a dry site

description:
  Approximately 350m northwest of the western end of Scott Base in the floor of a shallow gully; 20m NW of site 657 and approximately 3-4m lower in altitude; about 50m N of the Scott base to McMurdo Station walking track; at this site, 4 contiguous 1m X 1m plots were set out and 3 irrigated with LiCl, the 4th (northernmost) with H2O; this was the second plot resampling series; the site is 1.5m below the application plot

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


observation_date: 1991/12/13
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till and slope detritus with minor accessions of sedimentary and granitic rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a wet site; surface water from recent snow thaw
biological_activity: Nil at site; some yellow lichen and moss in the vicinity
patterned_ground: Weakly developed frost heave polygons
surface_weathering: Scattered basaltic boulders; unweathered
previous_disturbance: Probably some occasional treading
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 19cm
reason:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 116 characters]

description:
  Approximately 350m northwest of the western end of Scott Base in the floor of a shallow gully; 20m NW of site 657 and approximately 3-4m lower in altitude; about 50m N of the Scott base to McMurdo Station walking track; at this site, 4 contiguous 1m X 1m plots were set out and 3 irrigated with LiCl, the 4th (northernmost) with H2O; this was the second plot resampling series; the site is .75m below the application plot

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Leaching experiment using lithium chloride tracer to determine rate of leaching;
observation_date: 1991/12/13
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Lscp
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: E
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Bouldery till and slope detritus with minor accessions of sedimentary and granitic rocks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; a wet site wet surface water from recent snow thaw
biological_activity: Nil at site; some yellow lichen and moss in the vicinity
patterned_ground: Weakly developed frost heave polygons
surface_weathering: Scattered basaltic boulders; unweathered
previous_disturbance: Probably some occasional treading
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 20cm
description:
  Approximately 350m northwest of the western end of Scott Base in the floor of a shallow gully; 20m NW of site 657 and approximately 3-4m lower in altitude; about 50m N of the Scott base to McMurdo Station walking track; at this site, 4 contiguous 1m X 1m plots were set out and 3 irrigated with LiCl, the 4th (northernmost) with H2O; this was the second plot resampling series; the site is at the centre of the application plot

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil salts examination
observation_date: 1991/12/14
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: Cs Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Till from Ross Glacial advance; disturbed soil with extensive salt precipitation
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; the site is dry but the soil is moist because of the high salt conceemtration
biological_activity: Some yellow lichen on nearby basalt pebbles
patterned_ground: Hummocky ground thaw
surface_weathering: Nil; new ground surface
previous_disturbance: Extensive ground disturbance from soil removal and scraping
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  Approximately 500m N of McMurdo Station; on the lower side slope of a shallow valley; a surface previously disturbed by ground scraping and subsequently covered with extensive salt precipitations

geological_setting:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 305 characters]

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1991/12/14
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: CS Pro
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: Nil
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Gravelly basaltic drift
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; the site is dry
biological_activity: Some yellow lichen on nearby basalt pebbles
patterned_ground: Weakly developed patterned ground
surface_weathering: Stony surface; some calcium carbonate coatings
previous_disturbance: Foot traffic disturbance but probably nil mechanical
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_depth_unit: cm
frozen_type: Hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 30cm
processing_notes: IBC's longdd sign corrected after confirming that the site's locality is on the Eastern hemisphere
description:
  Approximately 550m N of McMurdo Station and on the upper surface of a shallow valley; a surface undisturbed from ground scraping

geological_setting:
  Rocks are predominantly scoria flows of the McMurdo Volcanics; Last Glaciation Ross 1 ice covered the site and traces of rocks (sandstone and granite granules and small pebbles) probably from the Royal Society Range can be found


reason: Soil weathering examination
observation_date: 1991/12/14
authors: IBC, GGC, MRB
photo_record: Yes
field_samples: Yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: NE
slope_unit: o
soil_parent_matterial: Altered basaltic rock and aeolian sand in patterned ground cracks
soil_climate_zone: Coastal Antarctic
soil_moisture_status: Oceanic subxerous; the site is dry
biological_activity: Nil
patterned_ground: Moderately developed net pattern exposed by land scraping
previous_disturbance: Ground scraping at the site has exposed altered basaltic rock with sand wedges
soil_weathering: 1
description:
  Approximately 800m NNW of McMurdo Station; on the upper side of broad ridge; a road aggregate quarry site

geological_setting:
  Rocks are predominantly scoria flows of the McMurdo Volcanics; patches of reddish altered volcanic rock are present with alteration in zones; the alteration may be thermal; scraped ground has exposed sand wedge sediment in collapsed patterned ground cracks

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


reason: LiCl soil leaching experiment
observation_date: 1992/12/19
authors: IBC, GGC
photo_record: CS Site photo
field_samples: yes
altitude_unit: m
aspect: SE
slope_unit: o
slope_comment: 2o
soil_parent_matterial: predominantly fragmented basaltic scoria, probably with minor inclusions of glaciogenic detritus
soil_climate_zone: coastal mountain
biological_activity: nil at site but some lichen and small moss patches in the general area
patterned_ground: weakly developed
surface_weathering: non to weakly developed
soil_weathering: 1
frozen_type: hard ice-cemented
frozen_comment: 28
description:
  a gently sloping facet of a broad ridge surface formed as a result of volcanic flow debris, situated about 250m upslope and to the NW of Scott Base; this site is situated 3m downslope from the initial 1989/90 site of application of LiCl

geological_setting:
  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

soil_moisture_status:
  xerous to subxerous; the site receives annual snowfall much of which blows away or ablates; summer snowfalls may moisten the upper few cm of the soil

previous_disturbance:
  the site is in an area which is subject to relatively high human impact from walking, cable laying etc; there have been previous disturbances at the sample locality from establishing the leaching trial and subsequent samplings from adjacent plots

processing_notes:
[cell repeats an earlier one in this file: 162 characters]


