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Holocene Desert Soil Formation under Sodium Salt Influence in a Playa-Margin Environment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Frederick F. Peterson
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Abstract

A visually prominent desert soil with a horizon of clay accumulation (Typic Natrargid) has formed under an arid climate in Panamint Valley, California, in sandy, very calcareous, saline fan alluvium in less than about 3500 yr, and probably less than 2000 yr. Such soils can be used as stratigraphic markers, but could be confused with other desert soils with clay-accumulation horizons (Haplargids) which occur much more commonly on desert alluvial fans, are mostly late Pleistocene or older, and do not form in parent materials that are still calcareous. This Natrargid formed in a playa-margin environment, where clay for translocation and sodium salts that engender rapid clay movement probably were provided by dust fall.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , March 1980 , pp. 172 - 186
Copyright
University of Washington

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