The interpretations Sample Clauses

The interpretations. In general, the morphology of the Precambrian hillocks of Cayenne Island are topped or “crowned” with a duricrust (Fr., cuirasse). Its hardness and extension vary depending on the formations. The duricrust represents ancient terraces (Xxxxx and Xxxxx 1993; de Vletter et al. 1998; Xxxxxxxxxx and Delor 2004; cf. Section 2.2.1). All ferralitic soils of Cayenne Island are highly desaturated. The clay fraction consists mainly of kaolinite and iron oxides with some gibsite. The soil of Morne Poncel has been ascribed to ‘sols ferralitiques indurés en cuirasse ou carapace.’ In majority, they develop on bedrock rich in iron and magnesium (e.g. diorites, dolerites, amphibolites). These soils have a reddish brown colour at the surface as well as a crumbly structure. At a deeper level, we come across a red-ochre colour with a well-developed, fine polyhedral structure and certain concretions (Xxxxxx 1969:20–21) However, our observations during the excavations illustrated that the profiles rather resembled a ‘sol ferralitique rajeuni’ as found on diorites and dolerites. In fact, Xxxxxx described this too with regard to his profile ‘L1023’ (Xxxxxx 1969:22). This specific soil belongs to the same group, but is attributed to another subgroup which fits in better with our observations at Morne Poncel. The process of rajeunissement of the soils explains the emergence of the bedrock at a relatively low depth and can be related to a progressive, slow reputation of material on the flank of a hill, better known as “soil creep,” or creeping soil (Heimsath et al 2002). This rather misunderstood process manifests itself on slopes and often consists of a slow movement of matter due to bioturbation and the effect of moistening/desiccation of this matter. Nevertheless, as mentioned above, pluvial water flowing towards the lateral (eastern) edge of the summit can