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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 1983; v. 11; p. 159-166;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1983.011.01.16
© 1983 Geological Society of London

Duricrusts: Calcretes, Silcretes and Gypcretes

Silcrete in Western Australia: geomorphological settings, textures, structures, and their genetic implications

W. J. E. van de Graaff

c/o Brunei Shell Petroleum (DPG), Seria, State of Brunei

Tertiary silcrete and laterite are extensively preserved in Western Australia in low-relief landscapes. Silcrete is best developed on topographic highs developed on fluviatile sands which overly radiolarites or deeply kaolinised claystones. Laterite occurs topographically lower and is generally developed on fine-grained bed rock. Lateral transition of silcrete to laterite indicates that these duricrusts form a soil catena. Cone structures in the silcretes indicate strongly evaporitic, dry conditions, whereas solution pipes in duricrust profiles indicate humid conditions. The silcrete/laterite catena thus indicates a strongly seasonal, hot, and humid climate, with rainfall probably in excess of 1000 mm yr–1.