Depth Studies of the Wisconsin Loess in Southwestern Iowa: I. Particle-Size and In-Place Density

The Soil Research Laboratory of the Iowa Engineering Experiment Station has been studying areal and stratigraphic variations in properties of the Wisconsin (Peorian) loess in southwestern Iowa since September, 1950. The information on loess properties is being utilized in soil stabilization studies now in progress. A paper presented before the Geology Section of the Iowa Academy of Science in 1952 (1) discussed the distribution of and some property variations in the Wisconsin loess in the southwestern Iowa area shown by Figure 1. While last year\u27s paper presented some depth data, the main emphasis was on areal property variations. More detailed studies of selected Wisconsin loess sections are now in progress to determine the variations in properties with depth. The present paper, Part I of two parts, presents particle-size, field moisture, and in-place density data. Part II will cover chemical, mineralogical, and additional physical property data