SCANNING ELECTRON MICROGRAPH IMAGES:                         

Volcanic glass of northern Idaho Andisols is a remnant of the Mount Mazama eruption.

        The porous nature of the glass particles impart much of the characteristically high water holding capacities found in these soils. 

Below:  A silaceous phytolith from a volcanic ash influenced, northern Idaho soil provides evidence of what plant species were present in the distant past.