Thursday, March 8, 2012

The Soils of Mt. Fuji

Mount Fuji contains a classification of soil called Andisols which is formed in volcanic ash during an eruption. Andisols consists of a high concentration of clay & volcanic glass materials such as Allophane; which is aluminum silicate clay. Allophane is formed by weathering, and the source of the weathering comes from the high pressue and concentration of heat from the volcanic magma underneath the surface, and plus Allophane is a acidic to neutral pH level of 5-7.
You will find Andisols and other minerals such as Allophane near volcanic areas around the globe.

                                    
                    Courtesy of  http://fuji.frutadetiempo.com/english_fuji_mountain_hut.html

Other minerals that are found in Andisols are Halloysite and Gibbsite. Gibbsite is aluminum hydroxide mineral and Halloysite is a form of basaltic rocks also consisting of aluminum.
The soil isn't rich in vegetation, but it seems the soil is enriched enough to grow plant life.

The link http://www.docstoc.com/docs/35255539/UNIQUE-CLAY-MINERAL-FORMATION-IN-ANDISOLS-DERIVED-FROM-HOLOCENE- presents an article of the research and classification of different clay rock materials in the Andisol soil of Mt. Fuji. The link also demonstrates a graph of the number of hallyosites and Gibbsites found. Hope you enjoy!!

Large Halloysite Image                              Large Gibbsite Image

© Jeff Weissman / Photographic Guide to Mineral Species          © John Veevaert





My Sources and Links
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/35255539/UNIQUE-CLAY-MINERAL-FORMATION-IN-ANDISOLS-DERIVED-FROM-HOLOCENE-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allophane
http://webmineral.com/specimens/picshow.php?id=1896&target=Halloysitehttp://www.mindat.org/min-1808.html
Posted by at

2 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 27, 2012 at 1:40 PM

    Hey Jonathan,
    I find your blog about the soil of Mt. Juji is filled with great details. As I did my blog on Ultisol soil, I find that it has some similarities with the Andisols such as the pH level, high concentration of the clay and hard to grow vegetation. The differences here between the Andisols and the Ultisol are that the Ultisol soil is not made of ash and has more of a reddish-orange color. The link is very helpful for reader like to understand the formation and the classification of the Andisols. However, the two images on the bottom do not work. I have always wanted to visit Japan one day but thanks to your blog, I know more about the place before my actual visit. Again, thank you for sharing.
    Tram Vo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kaitlin.RainsMarch 28, 2012 at 2:45 PM

    I like how you explained the composition of the Andisols and then further explained it by saying what the volcanic glass material was. You just didn’t give some giant word, Allophane, and leave it at that, you put it into terms everyone can understand (aka me!). At the end I liked how you linked the poor soil composition to the people by saying that it isn’t rich in vegetation but it could grow some things. I admire your courage to choose such a small location to do this blog on and you make it interesting.

    Kaitlin Rains

    ReplyDelete

This is my comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)