Identifying Horizons of Soil Profiles

Select a box below if you wish to try a soil profile different from soil profile No. 4:

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Soil Profile No. 4. Found in southwestern Washington; deep, moderately well drained soils formed in weathered glacial drift on terraces. Slopes are 0 to 30%. Average annual precipitation is 140 cm and mean annual temperature is 10 degrees centigrade. Colors are for moist soil.

Profile Description

  1. 0-18 cm; very dark brown (10YR2/2) silty clay loam; moderate fine subangular blocky structure; hard, friable, slightly sticky, slightly plastic, many roots; 10% concretions; pH=6.0; clear smooth boundary
  2. 18-36 cm; dark brown (10YR3/3) silty clay loam; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; hard, friable, slightly sticky, plastic; many roots; few clay film and 5% concretions; pH=5.8; clear smooth boundary
  3. 36-66 cm; brown (7.5YR4/4) silty clay; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; hard, friable, sticky and plastic; many roots; common thin clay films; pH=5.3; gradual smooth boundary
  4. 66-102 cm; brown (7.5YR4/4) silty clay; common mottles (7.5YR5/2);moderate medium and fine subangular blocky structure; hard, friable, sticky and plastic; few roots; many thin clay films; pH=5.3; clear irregular boundary
  5. 102-130+ cm; yellowish brown (10YR5/6) clay; many gray (10YR5/1) and common reddish brown (5YR4/4) mottles; moderate coarse breaking to fine angular blocky structure; very hard, firm, very sticky and plastic; few roots; many clay films; pH=5.6; clear wavy boundary

Choose the correct master and subordinate horizon designations for each horizon from the options below, then click on 'answer' to check your determination.

Horizon No. 1: Oa Ah A Ap
Horizon No. 2: AB BA 2A A
Horizon No. 3: Bw1 Bs1 Bt Bt1
Horizon No. 4: Bw2 Btg Bt2 Bts
Horizon No. 5: Btg Bt3 BCt Btsg

Can you determine the Order, Suborder or Great Group of this soil?

To classify this soil you really need more chemical and physical properties, but keep in mind that the soil has a low base saturation and is highly weathered.

Order:

Order and Suborder:

Order, Suborder and Great Group:

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