and#160;ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ......................... i
FOREWORD ................................ii
SITE DESCRIPTION ........................1andndash;1
Describer Name(s) ..............................1andndash;1
Date ..........................................1andndash;1
Climate .......................................1andndash;1
(Weather Conditions, Air Temperature, Soil
Temperature [Soil Temperature, Soil Temperature
Depth])
Location .......................................1andndash;2
(Latitude, Longitude, Geodetic Datum)
Topographic Quadrangle ..........................1andndash;2
Soil Survey Site Identification Number (Site ID) .......1andndash;2
County FIPS Code ...............................1andndash;3
MLRA .........................................1andndash;3
Transects ......................................1andndash;3
(Transect ID, Stop Number, Interval)
Series or Component Name ........................1andndash;4
(Map Unit Symbol, Photo #)
Geomorphic Information ..........................1andndash;4
Physiographic Location. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1andndash;4
(Physiographic Division, Physiographic Province,
Physiographic Section, State Physiographic Area,
Local Physiographic/Geographic Name)
Geomorphic Description .......................... 1andndash;4
(Landscape, Landform, Microfeature, Anthropogenic
Feature)
Surface Morphometry ........................... 1andndash;5
(Elevation, Slope Aspect, Slope Gradient, Slope
Complexity, Relative Slope Segment Position, Slope
Shape, Hillslope - Profile Position, Geomorphic
Components [Hills, Terraces and Stepped Landforms,
Mountains, Flat Plains], Microrelief, Drainage Pattern)
Water Status ..................................1andndash;11
Drainage ................................... 1andndash;11
Flooding .................................... 1andndash;13
(Frequency, Duration, Months)
Ponding .................................... 1andndash;14
(Frequency, Depth, Duration)
(Soil) Water State ............................. 1andndash;14USDA-NRCS v September 2012
Land Cover ....................................1andndash;16
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ......................... i
FOREWORD ................................ii
SITE DESCRIPTION ........................1andndash;1
Describer Name(s) ..............................1andndash;1
Date ..........................................1andndash;1
Climate .......................................1andndash;1
(Weather Conditions, Air Temperature, Soil
Temperature [Soil Temperature, Soil Temperature
Depth])
Location .......................................1andndash;2
(Latitude, Longitude, Geodetic Datum)
Topographic Quadrangle ..........................1andndash;2
Soil Survey Site Identification Number (Site ID) .......1andndash;2
County FIPS Code ...............................1andndash;3
MLRA .........................................1andndash;3
Transects ......................................1andndash;3
(Transect ID, Stop Number, Interval)
Series or Component Name ........................1andndash;4
(Map Unit Symbol, Photo #)
Geomorphic Information ..........................1andndash;4
Physiographic Location. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1andndash;4
(Physiographic Division, Physiographic Province,
Physiographic Section, State Physiographic Area,
Local Physiographic/Geographic Name)
Geomorphic Description .......................... 1andndash;4
(Landscape, Landform, Microfeature, Anthropogenic
Feature)
Surface Morphometry ........................... 1andndash;5
(Elevation, Slope Aspect, Slope Gradient, Slope
Complexity, Relative Slope Segment Position, Slope
Shape, Hillslope - Profile Position, Geomorphic
Components [Hills, Terraces and Stepped Landforms,
Mountains, Flat Plains], Microrelief, Drainage Pattern)
Water Status ..................................1andndash;11
Drainage ................................... 1andndash;11
Flooding .................................... 1andndash;13
(Frequency, Duration, Months)
Ponding .................................... 1andndash;14
(Frequency, Depth, Duration)
(Soil) Water State ............................. 1andndash;14USDA-NRCS v September 2012
Land Cover ....................................1andndash;16
Mottles .......................................2andndash;18
(Quantity, Size, Contrast, Color, Moisture State,
Shape, Location)
Concentrations (Discussion) ......................2andndash;19
Concentrations ................................2andndash;20
(Kind, Quantity [Percent of Area Covered], Size,
Contrast, Color, Moisture State, Shape, Location,
Hardness, Boundary)
Pedogenic Carbonate Stages (Discussion) ...........2andndash;28
(Development, Multiple Stages, Description)
Pedogenic Carbonate Development Stages -
and#160;Fine Earth Matrix ............................ 2andndash;30
Pedogenic Carbonate Development Stages -
and#160;Coarse Fragment Matrix ....................... 2andndash;31
Ped and Void Surface Features ....................2andndash;32
(Kind, Amount, Continuity, Distinctness, Location,
Color)
Soil Texture ...................................2andndash;36
Texture Class ................................ 2andndash;37
(Soil) Textural Triangle (Fine Earth) ................. 2andndash;38
Texture Modifiers ............................. 2andndash;38
(Quantity and Size, Compositional, Terms Used in
Lieu of Texture)
Comparison of Particle Size Classes in Different
and#160;Systems .................................. 2andndash;45
Rock and Other Fragments .......................2andndash;46
(Kind, Volume Percent, Size Classes and Descriptive
Terms, Roundness, Hardness)
Artifacts (Human-derived) .......................2andndash;49
(Kind, Quantity, Roundness, Shape, Cohesion,
Penetrability, Persistence, Safety)
(Soil) Structure ................................2andndash;52
(Type, Grade, Size)
Consistence ...................................2andndash;62
Rupture Resistance ............................ 2andndash;62
(Blocks, Peds, and Clods; Surface Crusts and Plates)
Cementing Agents ............................. 2andndash;64
Manner of Failure ............................. 2andndash;65
Stickiness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2andndash;66
Plasticity ................................... 2andndash;66
Penetration Resistance .......................... 2andndash;67
Penetration Orientation ......................... 2andndash;68
Excavation Difficulty ........................... 2andndash;69
Roots ........................................2andndash;70
(Quantity, Size, Quantity [graphic], Location)
Pores (Discussion) .............................2andndash;73
Pores ........................................2andndash;73
(Quantity, Size, Shape, Vertical Continuity)
Cracks .......................................2andndash;75
(Kind, Depth, Relative Frequency)
Soil Crusts (Discussion) .........................2andndash;77
Soil Crusts ....................................2andndash;79
(Kind)
Special Features ...............................2andndash;80
(Kind, Area [%] Occupied)
and#160;Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity and Permeability
and#160;(Discussion) .................................2andndash;81
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity (Ksat) ..............2andndash;83
Permeability Classes ............................2andndash;85
Chemical Response .............................2andndash;85
Reaction (pH) ................................ 2andndash;85
pH Method .................................. 2andndash;86
Effervescence ................................ 2andndash;87
(Class, Location, Chemical Agent)
Reduced Conditions ............................ 2andndash;88
(Dipyridyl - Location)
Salinity Class (Discussion) ....................... 2andndash;88
Salinity Class ................................ 2andndash;89
Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) ................... 2andndash;89
Odor .........................................2andndash;90
(Kind, Intensity)
Miscellaneous Field Notes ........................2andndash;90
Minimum Data Set (for a soil description) ...........2andndash;90
Pedon Description Data Sheet .....................2andndash;91
Pedon Description Example .......................2andndash;91
Pedon Description (Data Sheet andndash; Blank). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2andndash;93
Pedon Description (Data Sheet andndash; Example) ........... 2andndash;95
Subaqueous Soils (SAS) Description ................2andndash;97
(Discussion, Description)
Bathymetry ................................. 2andndash;97
Site ....................................... 2andndash;98
Water Column Measurements .................... 2andndash;102
Soil Profile Measurements and Description ........... 2andndash;103
Salinity (of Subaqueous Soils) ................... 2andndash;106
Subaqueous Soils Profile Description Data Sheet ....... 2andndash;109
Subaqueous Soils Profile Description Example ........ 2andndash;110
Vibracore Sampling for Subaqueous Soils .......... 2andndash;111
Discussion ................................. 2andndash;111
Site Description ............................. 2andndash;111
Core Descriptions ............................ 2andndash;111
Vibracore Log Sheet .......................... 2andndash;113
Vibracore Log Sheet Example .................... 2andndash;114
References .................................. 2andndash;115
GEOMORPHIC DESCRIPTION .................3andndash;1
Part I: Physiographic Location .....................3andndash;2
Part II: Geomorphic Description (Outline) ...........3andndash;10
Part II: Geomorphic Description ...................3andndash;11
Comprehensive Lists ........................... 3andndash;11
Geomorphic Environments and Other Groupings ........ 3andndash;21
Part III: Surface Morphometry ....................3andndash;39
References ....................................3andndash;46
SOIL TAXONOMY ..........................4andndash;1
Introduction ...................................4andndash;1
Horizon and Layer Designations ....................4andndash;1
Master and Transitional Horizons or Layers ............. 4andndash;1
Horizon Suffixes ............................... 4andndash;3
Horizon and Layer Designations Conversion Charts ........ 4andndash;6
(Soil) Textural Triangle: Family Particle-Size Classes ..... 4andndash;10
Combined Textural Triangles: Fine Earth Texture Classes
and#160;and Family Particle-Size Classes .................. 4andndash;11
Soil Moisture Regimes .......................... 4andndash;11
Soil Temperature Regimes and Classes .............. 4andndash;13
References ....................................4andndash;14
GEOLOGY ................................5andndash;1
Introduction ...................................5andndash;1
Bedrock [Kind] ................................ 5andndash;1
Rock Charts ....................................5andndash;4
Igneous Rocks Chart ............................ 5andndash;5
Metamorphic Rocks Chart ......................... 5andndash;6
Sedimentary and Volcaniclastic Rocks ................ 5andndash;7
Mass Movement (Mass Wasting) Types for Soil Survey ..... 5andndash;8
North American Geologic Time Scale ................. 5andndash;9
Till Terms .....................................5andndash;10
Pyroclastic Terms ..............................5andndash;11
Hierarchical Rank of Lithostratigraphic Units .........5andndash;12
References ....................................5andndash;13
Vibracore Sampling for Subaqueous Soils .......... 2andndash;111
Discussion ................................. 2andndash;111
Site Description ............................. 2andndash;111
Core Descriptions ............................ 2andndash;111
Vibracore Log Sheet .......................... 2andndash;113
Vibracore Log Sheet Example .................... 2andndash;114
References .................................. 2andndash;115
GEOMORPHIC DESCRIPTION .................3andndash;1
Part I: Physiographic Location .....................3andndash;2
Part II: Geomorphic Description (Outline) ...........3andndash;10
Part II: Geomorphic Description ...................3andndash;11
Comprehensive Lists ........................... 3andndash;11
Geomorphic Environments and Other Groupings ........ 3andndash;21
Part III: Surface Morphometry ....................3andndash;39
References ....................................3andndash;46
SOIL TAXONOMY ..........................4andndash;1
Introduction ...................................4andndash;1
Horizon and Layer Designations ....................4andndash;1
Master and Transitional Horizons or Layers ............. 4andndash;1
Horizon Suffixes ............................... 4andndash;3
Horizon and Layer Designations Conversion Charts ........ 4andndash;6
(Soil) Textural Triangle: Family Particle-Size Classes ..... 4andndash;10
Combined Textural Triangles: Fine Earth Texture Classes
and#160;and Family Particle-Size Classes .................. 4andndash;11
Soil Moisture Regimes .......................... 4andndash;11
Soil Temperature Regimes and Classes .............. 4andndash;13
References ....................................4andndash;14
GEOLOGY ................................5andndash;1
Introduction ...................................5andndash;1
Bedrock [Kind] ................................ 5andndash;1
Rock Charts ....................................5andndash;4
Igneous Rocks Chart ............................ 5andndash;5
Metamorphic Rocks Chart ......................... 5andndash;6
Sedimentary and Volcaniclastic Rocks ................ 5andndash;7
Mass Movement (Mass Wasting) Types for Soil Survey ..... 5andndash;8
North American Geologic Time Scale ................. 5andndash;9
Till Terms .....................................5andndash;10
Pyroclastic Terms ..............................5andndash;11
Hierarchical Rank of Lithostratigraphic Units .........5andndash;12
References ....................................5andndash;13
and#160;
LOCATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6andndash;1
GPS Location. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6andndash;1
Public Land Survey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6andndash;2
Townships and Ranges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6andndash;3
Sections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6andndash;3
Section Subdivisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6andndash;4
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Rectangular Coordinate System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6andndash;5
State Plane Coordinate System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6andndash;7
References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6andndash;7
MISCELLANEOUS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7andndash;1
Percent of Area Covered. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7andndash;1
Ksat Class Estimate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7andndash;10
Soil Water Repellency (Discussion). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7andndash;14
Soil Water Repellency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7andndash;15
Measurement Equivalents and Conversions. . . . . . . . . . 7andndash;16
Metric to English. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7andndash;16
English to Metric. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7andndash;17
Common Conversion Factors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7andndash;18
Guide to Map Scales and Minimum Size Delineations. . . 7andndash;21
Common Soil Map Symbols (Traditional). . . . . . . . . . . . 7andndash;22
References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7andndash;28
SOIL SAMPLING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8andndash;1
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8andndash;1
Types of Sampling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8andndash;1
(Horizon Sampling, Incremental Sampling, Fixed-Depth Sampling)
Sampling Techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8andndash;3
Soil Sample Kinds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8andndash;3
(Characterization Samples, Reference Samples)
Field Equipment Checklist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8andndash;4
Examples of Common Soil-Sampling Equipment. . . . . . . . 8andndash;5
References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8andndash;6
INDEX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9andndash;1