Soils Developed in the Glacial Deposits of the Type Areas of the Pinedale and Bull Lake Glaciations, Wind River Range, Wyoming, U.S.A.

Abstract

The degree of soil development in glacial deposits in the Fremont Lake area (FLA) and Bull Lake type area (BLTA) on opposite sides of the Wind River Range of western Wyoming is chiefly influenced by the ages of the parent materials although other soil-forming factors are important. Soil morphology, clay content, and calcium carbonate content are useful in distinguishing moraines of the Bull Lake glaciation (about 140 to 150 ka) from those of the Pinedale glaciation (about 14 to 35 ka) in these areas. In the FLA, soils in Bull Lake deposits have an average Profile Development Index (PDI) of 39 index-cm and average 15% clay and 7% calcium carbonate (CaCO3), and soils in Pinedale deposits have an average PDI of 25 index-cm and average 6% clay and 1% CaCO3. In the BLTA, soils in Bull