The etched landsurfaces of southwestern Australia

Abstract

Landscapes in southwestern Australia are associated with variable proportions of a deep mantle of chemical weathering. By recognizing a continuum of landscapes showing a minimal amount of erosional modification of the deep mantle through to surfaces exhibiting intrusive stripping, broad soil-landscape units have been delineated. A descriptive classification of these units is proposed, based on the application of the concept of etch landsurfaces, the central theme of which incorporates both deep chemical weathering and differential stripping of the resultant saprolite.