Items related to Illinois Loess, Variations in Its Properties and Distributio...

Illinois Loess, Variations in Its Properties and Distribution: A Pedologic Interpretation (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Guy Donald Smith

 
9781528501118: Illinois Loess, Variations in Its Properties and Distribution: A Pedologic Interpretation (Classic Reprint)

Synopsis

This book investigates the properties and distribution variations in the loess found within the upper Mississippi Valley. It shows that the loess deposits are thickest next to major rivers, with the eastern sides of the valleys displaying greater accumulation compared to the western sides. The texture of the loess is revealed to be coarser closer to the valleys and the soil developed in these thicker loess deposits differs from the soil developed in areas where the loess is thinner, due to the influence of varying drainage conditions. The author demonstrates that, during the period of deposition, the climate was not significantly different from what it is today in the same region, further explaining that the observed differences in the preserved fauna can be attributed to a southward displacement of the isotherms during at least some of this period. The book concludes that the Mississippi Valley loess is a product of wind deposition and that its source was the floodplains of the Pleistocene rivers. This in-depth exploration of the loess within the upper Mississippi Valley provides valuable insights into the region's geological history and is essential reading for geologists, soil scientists, and anyone interested in the landscapes of the American Midwest.

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