The use of soils and paleosols for interpreting geomorphic and climatic history of arid regions
The study of modern surface soils, and ancient weathering zones, which occur either buried or as surface relicts, has contributed materially to understanding the complex events of the glacial and post-glacial period both in glaciated areas and in regions not influenced by glaciation. Most work of this kind in the United States has been done by geologists.
Numerous Pleistocene geologists have noted weathered zones between sheets of glacial drift or loess in the middle western United States. These include Condra, et al5; Frye7; Frye and Leonard8; Kay and Pearce13; Leighton and MacClintock15; Leverett16,17,18; Lugn19; Peltier23; Schultz and Stout26; Schultz, et al27; and Simonson28. Kay and Pearce13 interpreted the weathered zones between sheets of glacial drift as profiles of ancient soils which they referred to as gumbotil. Hseung, Marshall and Krusekopf10 have recently questioned the pedogenic character of gumbotil, but have failed to offer a satisfactory alternative explanation. Thorp, and coworkers30, in a general review of buried soils, apparently consider gumbotil a product of ancient soil-forming processes.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 1953 |
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Title | The use of soils and paleosols for interpreting geomorphic and climatic history of arid regions |
Authors | John Miller, Luna Bergere Leopold |
Publication Type | Conference Paper |
Publication Subtype | Conference Paper |
Series Title | Research Council of Israel Special Publication |
Series Number | 2 |
Index ID | 70189740 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |