Evolution of the Soil Landscape in the Sand Region of the Arctic Coastal Plain as Exemplified at Atkasook, Alaska

Abstract

The Meade River region around the village of Atkasook, Alaska typifies much of the Arctic Coastal Plain underlain by aeolian sands. The forms and patterns of the landscape are formed mainly by ancient and active sand dunes and by channel shifts of the Meade River. Nearly all landforms, including those designated as primary, have had a polycyclic history throughout the last 10,000 years. The oldest and/or most stable landforms are low, broad dune ridges, interfluves, and lake divides. These have well-drained, reddish sandy soils with a distinct eluvial horizon and represent very extensive periods of development. Less well-drained sloping surfaces surrounding dune ridges and other primary landforms are covered by tussock tundra and all soils show the effect of cryoturbation. They range in age from 5,000 to 6,000 years. The development and stabilization of the primary landforms and the evolution of their soils are illustrated by similar much younger landforms. Generally, lowland areas associated with drained lake basins and cutoff meanders have a polygonal surface pattern and organic soils that range in age from a few thousand to at least 9,500 years. The majority of the polygonized terrain ranges in age from 4,000 to 5,000 years. Younger surfaces associated with the present course of the Meade River consist of alluvial terraces and active or partially stabilized sand dunes. The soils show little profile development. Their maximum age is on the order of 1,000 years.