From Geoscience Australia
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Some observations on laterites in the Northern Territory

Created 17/10/2025

Updated 09/01/2026

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In the Northern Territory laterites are formed in situ as: (i) an illuvial soil horizon; and (ii) a chemical lake laterite deposit. The end product of extensive weathering processes of certain favourable beds is considered by some to be a true mature laterite, whereas others believe it is merely a duricrust. The denudation of laterite and transportation, deposition and cementation of the fragments with other rock fragments result in a detrital laterite deposit. Water-rounded rock fragments in the detrital laterites are readily coated and cemented with iron oxides and resemble the pisolites in the ferruginous zone of the lateritic profile. This similarity results in an exaggeration of the true extent of laterization. The similarity in environmental conditions between the process of precipitation of uranium minerals and laterization is discussed. True mature and detrital laterites are illustrated by photographs.

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Additional Info

Field Value
Title Some observations on laterites in the Northern Territory
Language eng
Licence Not Specified
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/a6ce9ca6-5175-4cca-a0ec-b8e080faa5e2
Contact Point
Geoscience Australia Data
clientservices@ga.gov.au
Reference Period 24/11/2025
Geospatial Coverage
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
{
  "coordinates": [
    [
      [
        129.5,
        -15.0
      ],
      [
        133.5,
        -15.0
      ],
      [
        133.5,
        -12.0
      ],
      [
        129.5,
        -12.0
      ],
      [
        129.5,
        -15.0
      ]
    ]
  ],
  "type": "Polygon"
}
Data Portal Geoscience Australia

Data Source

This dataset was originally found on Geoscience Australia "Some observations on laterites in the Northern Territory". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://ecat.ga.gov.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/csw/dataset/some-observations-on-laterites-in-the-northern-territory