Rock Magnetic Studies of Soil Chronosequences in California:A New Approach to Soil Genesis and the Dating of Geomorphic Surfaces

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Although soil scientist have been studying the chemistry of iron in soils for many years, there have been relatively few studies of the magnetic properties of soils. Most of the studies have focussed on the enhancement of the magnetic susceptibility in the upper portion of the soil. For the past year and a half, the Principal Investigator has been studying the rock magnetic properties of three soil chronosequences in California, noting that the rock magnetic properties vary within different horizons of the same soil profile or pedon and between pedons of different age developed in the same parent material. Results have also shown that the enhancement of the magnetic susceptibility is a more complex phenomenon than previously thought. This project investigates other chronosequences in California and extends work to include additional rock magnetic parameters. The goal of this research will be to gain new insights into the basic pedogenic processes involved in the translocation and transformation of iron in soils and to use that information to develop a relative, if not an absolute, method of dating soils. Such a dating technique would have wide applicability, not only for the dating of soils on stable geomorphic surfaces but also for the dating of various surficial processes such as hillslope development and landsliding.