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Rock type and dust influx control accretionary soil development on hillslopes in the Sandia Mountains, New Mexico, USA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Lyman P. Persico ,
Leslie D. McFadden ,
Jedidiah D. Frechette  and
Grant A. Meyer
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Abstract

Lower slopes of the Sandia Mountains are characterized by granitic corestone topography and weathering-limited slopes with thin grusy colluvium and weakly developed soils. In contrast, thick soils with illuvial clay and pedogenic carbonate have developed below aplite outcrops. Aplite is resistant to chemical decomposition, but physically weathers to blocky clasts that enhance surface roughness and erosional resistance of colluvium, promoting accumulation of eolian fines. Thick B horizons on aplite slopes indicate limited erosion and prolonged periods of stability and soil development. Accretion of eolian material limits runoff and prevents attainment of a steady-state balance between soil production and downslope transport.

Keywords

Soil formationSoil productionAccretionary soilsB horizonsHillslope processesEolian dustWeatheringNew MexicoSandia Mountains
Type
Short Paper
Information
Quaternary Research , Volume 76 , Issue 3 , November 2011 , pp. 411 - 416
Copyright
University of Washington

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