Abstract
ABSTRACT Three major weathering forms of upper Cenozoic basalts are recognized: a weathering crust, several millimeters thinck, at the interface with the massive basalt; a weathering zone, several centimeters thick, associated with vesicular basalt; and thoroughly altered basalt saprolite, mostly obtained under prolonged water-saturated conditions. The clay fractions in the weathering crust and zone consist of smectite and kaolinite with halloysite, while, in the saprolite, smectite is the only clay mineral formed. SiO2/Al2O3 ratios change from 6–7 in the rock to 2–3 in the crust clay, and this decrease represents maximum desilication obtained under eastern Mediterranean conditions. With soil development, a resilication of soil clays relative to crust clay may take place in the deeper stable profiles. Soil development also involves aeolian accumulation of quartz in the coarser size fractions, and Fe and K enrichment in the clay fraction. Grumusols (Vertisols) represent the mature, stable and products of basalt weathering on uneroded surfaces in the semiarid and subhumid parts of the eastern Mediterranean. In the more humid parts, Red and Brown Mediterranean soils (Xeralfs) become dominant.
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