Anhyorthel and landscape AQ
Anhyorthel Landscape, Wright Valley, Antarctica — Antarctica averages less than 150 mm (6 inches) of annual precipitation, making it the driest and coldest continent on earth. Dry valleys such as the one shown here may receive less than 50 mm (2 inches) of annual precipitation. As a result, the soils contain very little moisture and are characterized by dry permafrost — the soil material is loose rather than ice-cemented. (Image courtesy of Dr. Megan Balks, University of Waikato, NZ) (Notes and photo downloaded from: www.uidaho.edu/cals/soil-orders/gelisols)
For more information about Dr. Balks and her research, visit;
nzsss.science.org.nz/megan-balks/
Anhyorthels are the Orthels that have anhydrous conditions. They often have dry permafrost (i.e., insufficient moisture for interstitial ice to occur). The cold deserts commonly receive less than 30 mm of annual precipitation. These soils support little or no vegetation. These soils are limited in extent but are known to occur in continental Antarctica, the High Arctic (northern Greenland and Ellesmere Island), and the cold, dry mountains of Eurasia at elevations of more than 3,700 m.
Orthels are the Gelisols that show little or no evidence of cryoturbation and are the second most abundant suborder of Gelisols. These soils occur primarily within the zone of widespread permafrost or in areas of coarse textured materials in the continuous zone of permafrost. Orthels are generally drier than Turbels and Histels. They occur in the southern Andes and the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.
For additional information about U.S. Soil Taxonomy, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/cla...
Anhyorthel and landscape AQ
Anhyorthel Landscape, Wright Valley, Antarctica — Antarctica averages less than 150 mm (6 inches) of annual precipitation, making it the driest and coldest continent on earth. Dry valleys such as the one shown here may receive less than 50 mm (2 inches) of annual precipitation. As a result, the soils contain very little moisture and are characterized by dry permafrost — the soil material is loose rather than ice-cemented. (Image courtesy of Dr. Megan Balks, University of Waikato, NZ) (Notes and photo downloaded from: www.uidaho.edu/cals/soil-orders/gelisols)
For more information about Dr. Balks and her research, visit;
nzsss.science.org.nz/megan-balks/
Anhyorthels are the Orthels that have anhydrous conditions. They often have dry permafrost (i.e., insufficient moisture for interstitial ice to occur). The cold deserts commonly receive less than 30 mm of annual precipitation. These soils support little or no vegetation. These soils are limited in extent but are known to occur in continental Antarctica, the High Arctic (northern Greenland and Ellesmere Island), and the cold, dry mountains of Eurasia at elevations of more than 3,700 m.
Orthels are the Gelisols that show little or no evidence of cryoturbation and are the second most abundant suborder of Gelisols. These soils occur primarily within the zone of widespread permafrost or in areas of coarse textured materials in the continuous zone of permafrost. Orthels are generally drier than Turbels and Histels. They occur in the southern Andes and the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.
For additional information about U.S. Soil Taxonomy, visit:
www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/cla...