Volcanic Ash-Influenced Soils

Northwest soils are complicated by the frequency of volcanic eruptions in the Pacific Northwest region prior to and during the Holocene.   Horizon sequences in tephra-influenced soils may consist of multiple tephra deposits that differ in age as well as mineralogy, chemistry, and degree of weathering.   The most recent depositions of Mount St. Helens and Mount Mazama have influenced north Idaho soils. 

For more information on Volcanic Ash-Influenced soils:

• Garber, Lowell W. 1966. Influence of volcanic ash on the genesis and classification of two Spodosols in Idaho. M. S. thesis, Univ. of Idaho, Moscow. 155 p.

• Fosberg, M. A., A. L. Falen, J. P. Jones, and B. B. Singh.  1979.  Physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics of soils from volcanic ash in northern Idaho:  Part I.   Morphology and Genesis.  Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 43:541-547.

• Jones, J. P., B. B. Singh, M. A. Fosberg, and A. L. Falen.  1979.  Physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics of soils from volcanic ash in northern Idaho:  Part II.   Phosphorus sorption.  Soils Sci. Soc. Am. J. 43:248-262.

• Moody, U. L. 1982. Distribution and characterization of tephra from the May 18, 1980, Mt. St. Helen’s eruption in northern Idaho and western Montana. Ph.D. dissertation, Univ. of Idaho, Moscow. 385 p.

• Mahler, R. L. and M. A. Fosberg. 1983. The Influence of Mount St. Helens Volcanic Ash on Plant Growth and Nutrient Uptake. Agronomy Journal, Vol. 75: 731-735.

• McDaniel, P. A., M. A. Fosberg, and A. L. Falen. 1993. Expression of andic and spodic properties in tephra influenced soils of northern Idaho, USA. Geoderma, 58: 79-94.

• Maynard-Johnson, Jodi. 1995. Alteration of Andisols in the Grand Fir Mosaic ecosystem following invasion by bracken fern successional plant communities. M. S. thesis, Univ. of Idaho, Moscow. 91 p.

• McDaniel, P. A., A. L. Falen, K. R. Tice, R. C. Graham, and S. E. Fendorf. 1995. Beidellite in E Horizons of Northern Idaho Spodosols Formed in Volcanic Ash. Clays and Clay Minerals, Vol. 43, No. 5, 525-532.

• Maynard-Johnson, J. L., P. A. McDaniel, D. E. Ferguson, and A. L. Falen. 1997. Chemical and Mineralogical Conversion of Andisols following Invasion by Bracken Fern. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 61:549-555.

• McDaniel, P. A., A. L. Falen, and M. A. Fosberg. 1997. Genesis of Non-Allophanic E Horizons in Tephra-Influenced Spodosols. Soil Sci. Am. J. 61:211-217.

• Maynard-Johnson, J.L., P.A. McDaniel, D.E. Ferguson, and A.L. Falen. 1998. Changes in soil solution chemistry of Andisols following invasion by bracken fern. Soil Sci. 163: 814-821.

• Kimsey, Mark J.  2003.  Sulfate sorption in andic soils of the Inland Northwest.  M. S. thesis, Univ. of Idaho, Moscow.  94 p.