Soils developed on four lava flows on one of the Hawaiian Islands. The lavas were of four...

Soils developed on four lava flows on one of the Hawaiian Islands. The lavas were of four different ages, having formed over a span of several hundred years, the most recent flow being 10 years ago. USDA scientists define these four soils (in no particular order) as alfisols, entisols, inceptisols, and ultisols. Using the descriptions in the USDA soil classification scheme (Table 9.2) and your understanding of soil formation processes, describe how these four soil types might represent a chronological sequence from a young soil to a mature soil, all derived from the same parent material. Draw a soil profile for each soil type. Note that the profiles should change over time.

Table 9.2 USDA Soil Classification System