In much of what is now Canada, glaciers covered the land as little as 12,000 years ago and glacial erosion scoured the land surface leaving very thin soil or bare rock over large areas. The Midwestern United States was also covered in ice at this time, yet this area contains some of the richest farm land in the world with thick soils. These soils are formed on glacial sediments and windblown dust deposits from the ice age. Why are the soil conditions between these areas so different when the soils are virtually identical in age?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The difference in soil conditions between the areas can be attributed to the fact that the Midwestern U.S. soils are transported soils, meaning they were already loose and unconsolidated materials that allowed for soil development to occur more quickly. In contrast, much of Canada was covered in glaciers that left very thin soil or bare rock, making it more difficult for soil to form.

In Much of What Is Now Canada, Glaciers Covered the Land