STRATIGRAPHIC CORRELATION OF PALEOSOLS IN SOD TABLES AT BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA ASSISTED BY GIS

In May, 2008 the Badlands Working Group from Slippery Rock University went to Badlands National Park, SD to cut and describe soil profiles and collect soil samples related to Holocene paleosols in sod tables on the upper prairie. A full description of the formation of the Holocene pediments and paleosols that have eroded into the sod tables has not been fully explained. The soil profiles have been described and photographically documented to compare the stratigraphic columns of adjacent sod tables. Soil samples were collected from the soil profiles and are being radiocarbon dated to allow stratigraphic correlation between the sod tables. GPS points were used in conjunction with digital ortho-photos to create detailed maps of previous and future soil profile sampling sites. Our intent is to compile a stratigraphic correlation exercise that will be available on the World Wide Web, to describe the formation of the sod tables, pedogenesis of paleosols, and Holocene climate change.