Winter soil freezes, heaves, and moves! The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Jan. 15 Soils Matter blog looks at the freeze-thaw cycle, how it changes soil on a microscopic level, and the reaction of Alaska’s unique permafrost soils.
“Freezing deforms the soil,” writes blogger Erin Rooney. “Frost heaving allows mineral subsurface layers–or horizons–to be squeezed up through the soil. This moves horizons from lower to higher. This feature is known as a ‘mud boil’ or ‘frost boil.’” Rooney is a graduate fellow at Oregon State University.
But the icy drama doesn’t stop with what human eyes can see. The cracks, freezing, and expansion can occur on a tiny scale as well. This can release minerals and further change the soil’s composition.
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