This paper outlines work in progress on the aeolian history of northern King Island, Bass Strait. It builds on the pioneering work of Jennings (1959) and includes areas proximal to Egg Lagoon, where palaeoecological work has been undertaken (D’Costa et al. 1993).

The coastal Older and Newer Dune systems on the island mark interglacial periods of higher sea levels (Jennings 1959). Extensive sand sheets inland of these systems have not previously been studied and, given their potential to broaden knowledge of aeolian activity on the island, these form a focus of the present study.

A total of 61 sites in 5 transects have been sampled by augering, and 299 samples collected. Two major transects were surveyed in detail to record surface forms. Particle size distributions, determined variously from dry and wet seiving and hydrometer methods, reveal variations in sedimentary sequences and soil profiles. The role of weathering and soil formation in altering the distributions after deposition is determined by insoluble residue analyses, in conjunction with sample composition and field profile observations. Grain roundness and surface texture analyses indicate likely modes of deposition within the sand sheet sequences.

Though work is still in progress on this project, results to date enable some preliminary interpretations to be made. Sand dunes and sheets in the west have particle size distributions distinctly different from the east coast dunes, and the majority of the north part of the island consists of sediments derived from the west. Particle size distributions of the sand sheets are not substantially different from the western coastal Older and Newer Dunes, differing largely in the degree of weathering and soil formation, and the implications for their genesis will be outlined. Weathering and soil formation produce predictable variations in particle size distributions.

Aeolian and other palaeoenvironmental variations are indicated by sediment variations in the Older Dune and sand sheet sequences. These include variations in particle size distributions, evidence for expansion and contraction of Egg Lagoon in marginal sand sheet sequences, deflationary episodes preceding and within the Older Dunes, and unusual sedimentary units in the Older Dune fields. Limited existence of polleniferous sediments in the sand sheets add minor further details to the palaeoenvironmental record. An implication of the variability is that aeolian activity in the area of King Island is not limited to interglacial coastal dune phases, and activity during glacial periods is likely. This interpretation has not yet been tested by dating. Samples for optical dating have been collected from eight sites in the dunes and sand sheets, and this dating is still to be completed.