Reference soil Colombia 11: Andosol

CO011

Andosols occur throughout the world where volcanic activity is common, especially in the circum-Pacific region and along the mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Characteristics

Soils with a vitric or andic horizon (slightly to moderately weathered horizons in pyroclastic deposits dominated by short-range-order minerals, notably allophane and imogolite) starting within 25 cm from the soil surface. In addition, they may have a histic, fulvic, melanic, mollic, umbric, ochric, duric, or cambic horizon. Other diagnostic horizons (unless buried deeper than 50 cm by volcanic deposits) are absent.

Distribution of Andosols (rough estimation supplied by soilgrids)

 

Reference soil CO011: Andosols

PARENT ROCK: Tertiary-Early Pleistocene lava from Galeras volcano. CLIMATE: The climate may vary considerably over short distances because of varied topography. Calhoen (1971) gives the following information on general climate variations in the Pasto area: altitude (m) rainfall (mm) temperature (Celsius) 3100 9-12 2750 781 13 2670 700 13 1400 1392 20 (0 2849 26) VEGETATION AND LAND USE: In the immediate environment maize, potatoes and beans are cultivated, as well as Eucalyptus and Pinus. In associated lower areas (Alfisols) the cultivation of cereals is common, like wheat and barley. ADDITIONAL NOTES ON PROFILE DESCRIPTION: Ah1 - reaction to NaF = 9.8; AC - krotovinas: diameter 3 cm, ellipsoidal; mottles: whitish, biological; C1 - krotovinas: diameter 3 cm; C3 - inclusions: thin Fe fibers, are too deep to be diagnostic for a placic horizon.

 

Classification

WRB 2006WRB 1998
Umbric-Silandic- Andosol (Hyperdystric Thixotropic)Umbrihumi-Silic- Andosol (Hyperdystric)
0-130 cmumbric horizon
-andic
0-130 cmumbric horizon
0-150 cmandic horizon
-strongly humic
FAO-UNESCO-ISRIC 1988FAO-UNESCO-ISRIC 1974
Pachi-Umbric AndosolHumic Andosol
0-130 cmumbric A horizon
- cmumbric A horizon
-andic
-smeary consistence
0-130 cmumbric A horizon
-exchange complex dominated by amorphous material
-smeary consistence