Geomorphology and soils distribution under paraglacial conditions in an ice-free area of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica

• Published in: Catena (Giessen) Vol. 85; no. 3; pp. 194 - 204
• Main Authors: Francelino, Marcio Rocha, Schaefer, Carlos Ernesto G.R., Simas, Felipe Nogueira Bello, Filho, Elpídio Inácio Fernandes, de Souza, José João Lelis Leal, da Costa, Liovando Marciano
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cremlingen-Destedt Elsevier B.V 01.06.2011; Catena
• Subjects: altitude; Antarctica; Bgi / Prodig; coasts; Cold areas; Cryosols; Entisols; Gelisols; Geomorphology; ice; Landforms; Leptosols; Peninsulas; Periglacial; Permafrost; Physical geography; plateaus; shrinkage; Slopes; soil formation; Soils; Stability; terraces; Terrestrial ecosystem; Antarctica; Periglacial; Terrestrial ecosystem; Cryosols; Permafrost; Moraine; Spatial distribution; Periglacial features; Paraglacial; Glacier retreat; Soil; Geomorphological map; Cryopedology
• ISSN: 0341-8162; 1872-6887
• DOI: 10.1016/j.catena.2010.12.007

The main pedological, geomorphological and cryogenic features of Keller Peninsula, part of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Maritime Antarctica, were mapped and quantified with emphasis on the relationship between the ice retreat process, melt-out, landform development and soil distribution. Moraines, protalus, scree slopes, inactive glacial cirques, uplift marine terraces, biogenic landforms, arêtes and Felsenmeer were mapped. Scree slope is the main landform, covering approximately 25% of the peninsula, indicating prominent paraglacial features. Inherited, glacial landforms, such as lateral moraines, highland plateau and exhumed U shaped-valleys, are now being exposed in north Keller by ice shrinkage of former ice protecting cover. Landforms influenced soil formation and stability. Cryosols and Leptosols (WRB) roughly corresponding to Gelisols and Entisols (SSS), respectively, are the most common soil classes, with an overall tendency of absent permafrost in the coastal areas, changing to sporadic permafrost at mid-slope, and discontinuous permafrost with greater altitude and substrate stability. ► Periglacial and paraglacial geomorphology of Antarctica. ► Weathering and soil formation of polar regions. ► Cryosols and active layer in Antarctica; sulfate-affected soils of Antarctica. ► Landscape evolution and climate change in Antarctica. ► Soils and landform relationships in polar regions.