Morphology and stratigraphic relationships of the Wiluna hardpan in arid Western Australia

Abstract

Over much of arid Western Australia a red and brown hardpan occurs on broad plains; it may lie either on the surface or buried beneath a shallow mantle of soil. It is proposed that, because of its lithological character and its considerable thickness and extent, it should be given the name of Wiluna Hardpan. The proposed type section is north of Wiluna, near Bulloo Downs homestead, where headward erosion of the Ashburton River is exposing sections 30 m deep. Although both ferruginous and calcareous cement may be present, Wiluna Hardpan is largely indurated with silica. It is younger than laterite, but broadly contemporaneous with calcrete and Robe Pisolite. Initially it was probably geographically restricted by a coincidence of suitable conditions of low relief and a climate resulting in episodic flooding and desiccation. Its present distribution is partly controlled by current erosional and depositional processes.