MM256

Site: MM256	Land Unit: Hamilton Basalt Rises
*Aust. Soil Class.:* Ferric-Sodic, Eutrophic, Red CHROMOSOL (confidence level 1)

General Land Unit Description:
The undulating basalt rises around Hamilton consist of Red and Brown Chromosols with shallow surface horizons, and friable red gradational soils (Dermosols). Either of the co-dominant soils may be dominant locally. The Red Dermosols would be better drained than the Chromosols and may have high free irons (Ferrosols). Due to the favourable physical properties of the red soils, they tend to have less restrictions for land use compared to the Chromosols.

Site Description:

Geology: Quaternary basalt	Landform pattern: Undulating rises
Position in landscape: Upper slope	Internal drainage: Moderately well drained

Soil Profile Morphology

A1	0-20 cm	Dark reddish brown (5YR3/3) clay loam, moderate subangular blocky structure (10-20 mm), weak consistence when dry, pH 5.7. Clear transition to:
	Subsoil
B21	20-45 cm	Dark reddish brown (2.5YR3/4) light medium clay, many coarse fragments, strong blocky structure (5-10 mm), very weak consistence when moderately moist, many ferromanganiferous nodules, pH 6.5. Clear transition to:
B22	45-60 cm	Strong blocky structure (5-10 mm), firm consistence when moderately moist. Gradual transition to:
B23	60-85 cm	Yellowish red (5YR4/6) medium clay, strong blocky structure (2-5 mm), firm consistence when moderately moist, pH 6.7. Gradual transition to:
B24	85-135 cm	Brown (7.5YR4/4) medium clay, firm consistence when moderately moist, pH 6.5.
B25	135+ cm	Yellowish red (5YR4/6) medium clay, firm consistence when moist, coarse fragments are abundant, pH 6.3.

Key profile features:

Strong texture contrast between topsoil and subsoil
Sodic subsoil at depth
Many manganiferious nodules in B21

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