MM498

Site: MM498	Land Unit: Glenormiston–Terang Basalt Plains
*Aust. Soil Class.:* Ferric, Mottled-Subnatric, Black SODOSOL (confidence level 3)

General Land Unit Description:
This land unit consists of the gently undulating basalt plains in the Glenormiston–Terang area. The dominant soils are Ferric Black Sodosols, commonly with a bleached A2 horizon and or a mottled subsoil. There are minor occurrences of Black and Brown Chromosols, commonly with a ferric horizon above the clay.

Site Description:

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

Soil Profile Morphology

A1	0-15 cm	Very dark brown (10YR2/2), clay loam, hard setting surface condition, apedal, firm consistence when dry, ferromanganiferous nodules are common, pH 5.1. Clear transition to:
A2	20-50 cm	Sporadically bleached when dry (10YR7/2), clay loam, ferromanganiferous nodules are abundant. Sharp transition to:
	Subsoil
B21	50-75 cm	Very dark greyish brown (10YR3/2) heavy clay, dark yellowish brown mottles, strong blocky structure (20-50 mm), pH 6.6. Gradual transition to:
B22	75+ cm	Grey (2.5Y4/2), heavy clay, yellowish brown mottles, strong blocky structure (20-50 mm), pH 7.1.

Key profile features:

Strongly acidic topsoil
Bleached A2 horizon
Ferromanganiferious nodules are abundant in A2 horizon
Strong texture contrast between topsoil and subsoil
Mottled subsoil
Topsoil dispersive when worked when wet
Subsoil dispersive when worked wen wet

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