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THE LATERITIC SOILS OF THE SOUTH‐EASTERN PORTION OF THE AUSTRALIAN ARID ZONE
Author(s) -
JESSUP R. W.
Publication year - 1960
Publication title -
journal of soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.244
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2389
pISSN - 0022-4588
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2389.1960.tb02207.x
Subject(s) - gypsum , geology , arid , soil water , detritus , laterite , aeolian processes , geochemistry , geomorphology , soil science , paleontology , nickel , materials science , metallurgy
Summary Remnants occur in arid Australia of a formerly extensive land surface on which deep lateritic soils were developed. The lateritic profile, which contained silicified layers in the upper portion of the pallid zone, was subsequently truncated and water‐transported deposits containing lateritic detritus were laid down over the exposed mottled or pallid zones. Silicification of the upper portions of these deposits resulted in the formation of surface silcretes (the duricrust). The silcrete capping on the lateritic plateaux is overlain by either younger soils formed on deposits of wind‐transported materials, or by deposits of wind‐blown gypsite. Gypsum, leached from the latter, has accumulated in the mottled and pallid zones of the lateritic profile.