Athlone (Al)

Geology This mapping unit mostly occurs on the Mesozoic sediments (Cretaceous) on the down-throw side of the faults and monoclines, on the north-western side of the Strzelecki hills. These extend from near Bass in the south to Jindivick in the north. It is believed that during the Tertiary period a plain developed mostly on Cretaceous sediments but it did include some Early Tertiary and Devonian sediments. This plain is now dissected to varying degrees but is still apparent around Ripplebrook.

Landform

Gently undulating rises, possibly a dissected paleosurface. The landscape is gently undulating with deeply incised valleys, giving a hilly overall impression.

Land Use The soils of this mapping unit have been regarded in the past as being among the poorer soils because they are very acidic. The clearing of remnants of the former forest continued until fairly recently.

Landscape in the Athlone mapping unit near Nyora.

Soils

The soils fall mainly within two groups. Those occurring on the very gently inclined areas with less than about 2 or 3% slope (Component 1) and those occurring on the gently to moderately inclined areas of greater slope (Component 2). Component 3 occurs in the drainage lines.

Component 1
The surface soils range from very dark greyish brown fine sandy loams to silty clay loams. This overlies a dark greyish brown (mottled with brownish yellow) similarly textured subsurface soil at about 10 to 20 cm. At about 30 to 40 cm, the subsoil changes to a greyish brown (mottled with yellowish brown) very fine sandy loams to very fine sandy clay loams, generally conspicuously bleached in patches. The upper part of this horizon is often cemented, in which case, the colours are predominantly very dark greyish brown and strong brown. At about 50 cm, mottled greyish brown, brownish yellow and reddish brown light clays become medium clays. Decomposing Cretaceous mudstone usually appears from about 1 metre depth.

The soils would be mostly described as Acidic Mesotrophic, Yellow or Grey Dermosols using the Australian Soil Classification. Soil Site GP55 is an example of an Acidic Grey Dermosol in the Kernot area.

Component 2
The surface soils range from very dark greyish brown clay loams to very fine sandy clay loams overlying a dark greyish brown to brownish grey similarly textured subsurface soil at about 10 to 20 cm. This generally becomes mottled with yellowish brown at depth. Depending on the soil’s position on the slope and the degree of slope, there is a clear transition to light clays from about 40 cm. Light medium clays occur with depth, generally mottled greyish brown and brownish yellow in colour. Decomposing Cretaceous mudstone appears from about 1.0 metre.

Often the texture transition between the sub-surface soil and the clay subsoil is more gradual than described above.

Soil Site GP79 and Site GP80 are examples of Acidic Brown Dermosols near Athlone.

Component 3
The soils in the drainage depressions occupy less than 10% of this mapping unit. Insufficient information has been recorded to give a reliable description of this component. Soil Site GP81 is an example of a Hydrosol in a drainage depression near Athlone.

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