Volcanic Soils

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Volcanic soils, recognized for their unique properties, gained attention in the late 1940s, particularly with the term Ando soils being introduced in 1947 during soil surveys in Japan by American scientists. This led to a significant meeting in Tokyo in 1964, sponsored by FAO and UNESCO, aimed at preparing the Soil Map of the World. Subsequent meetings focused on volcanic ash soils occurred in Latin America, including Turrialba in 1969 and Pasto in 1972. The topic of Andosols was further explored at the 1981 International Conference on Soils with Variable Charge in New Zealand. In response to evolving definitions in the 1975 U.S. Soil Taxonomy, an International Committee on the Classification of Andisols (ICOMAND) was established, conducting workshops in Chile and Ecuador in 1984. Andosols, formed from tephra, are characterized by low bulk density and cover about 100 million hectares globally. In contrast, vast basaltic plateaus, while not typically classified as Andosols, exhibit complex relationships influenced by basalt rock properties. This volume emphasizes lesser-studied environments and methodologies to enhance the understanding and classification of these soils, reflecting ongoing efforts to refine their classification.