MM385

Site: MM385	Land Unit: Skipton Basalt
*Aust. Soil Class.:* Ferric, Mottled-Subnatric, Grey SODOSOL (confidence level 3)

General Land Unit Description:
This land unit consists predominantly of gently undulating plains around Skipton. There are some steeper slopes leading to the major drainage lines as well as those coming off Naminia Hill. The soils are variable, reflecting the complex landform in this land unit. Ferric Brown and Grey Sodosols occur chiefly on the lower slopes, and Bleach-Ferric Brown Chromosols occur on the plains and slopes. Areas of gilgai microrelief are usually found in this unit and the soils associated with these areas are commonly Black Chromosols with minor occurrences of Brown Chromosols. The soils on the mounds and in the depressions are similar apart from those on the mounds having shallower surfaces. A few scattered surface stones may occur on the upper slopes and crests of some rises.

Site Description:

Geology: Quaternary basalt	Landform pattern: Gently undulating plain
Position in landscape: Lower slope	Internal drainage: Imperfectly drained

Soil Profile Morphology

A1	0-20 cm	Dark greyish brown (10YR4/2), clay loam, hard-setting surface, ferromanganiferous nodules are common, pH 4.9, clear transition to:
A2	20-40 cm	Very pale brown (10YR7/3) clay loam, conspicuously bleached (10YR8/1) when dry, ferromanganiferous nodules are abundant, sharp transition to:
	Subsoil
B21	40-60 cm	Yellowish brown (2.5Y6/2) medium clay, red mottles, moderate blocky structure (10-20 mm), pH 6.5, gradational transition to:
B22	60+ cm	Light brownish grey (2.5Y6/2) medium clay, yellowish brown mottles, moderate blocky structure (10-20 mm), ferromanganiferous nodules are common, pH 6.9.

Key profile features:

Strongly acidic topsoil
Bleached A2 horizon
Mottled subsoil
Ferromanganiferious nodules are abundant in A2 horizon
Topsoil dispersive when worked when wet
Subsoil dispersive when dry
Sodic subsoil

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