"A surficial materials classification system has been designed to fit the needs of a geologist in mapping and classifying surficial materials. The system developed in this study is intended primarily for analysis of surficial materials where time-stratigraphic markers are not applicable or recognized. Primary classification is based on fabric and mode of origin supplemented by data on engineering and pedologic properties. Several types of classification systems presently exist for use in soil investigations. Only three of these systems have found widespread acceptance, two serving the engineering profession and the other the needs of the soil scientist. These systems are not intended for, and do not directly assist, geologic studies of surficial materials. The restricted nature of these existing classification systems has left the geologic profession without a standardized system for study of one of the most widespread materials on the earth, surficial materials. The classification system proposed in this study has been tested successfully in several portions of southern Missouri. Surficial materials in the test areas include loess, colluvium, alluvium, and residuum. The residuum is derived from sandstone, shale, dolomite, and limestone. Surficial materials are grouped into categories according to particle size, shape, and percentage of occurrence. The categories are separated into units according to engineering and pedologic properties modified by mode of occurrence and fabric of the deposit. The surficial material unit is the basic unit for field mapping. The surficial material units have been designed so as to include eight different types of surficial material that can be found within any one of nine different surficial material categories. Land use applications are illustrated according to degrees of expected site operations severity relative to surficial material and parent material properties. While the judgement as to the degree of severity may vary, the procedure used in this study permits weighing the effects of both parent materials and surficial materials on the proposed land use"--Abstract, pages ii-iii.
Missouri University of Science and Technology
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