Home > Term: paleosol
paleosol
A soil that formed on a landscape in the past with distinctive morphological features resulting from a soil-forming environment that no longer exists at the site. The former pedogenic process was either altered because of external environmental change or interrupted by burial. A paleosol (or component horizon) may be classed as relict if it has persisted in a land-surface position without major alteration of morphology by processes of the prevailing pedogenic environment. An exhumed paleosol is one that formerly was buried and has been re-exposed by erosion of the covering mantle.
- Part of Speech: noun
- Industry/Domain: Earth science
- Category: Soil science
- Company: Soil Science Society of America
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Creator
- Bob Adams
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