ABSTRACT
Morphology of soils from periglacial environment at Torres del Paine and South Shetland island (Antarctic) of Chile

Wilfredo Vera E1
 

Two scientific expeditions have been made to South Shetland Island and Torres del Paine National Park in order to get soil recognition. Some morphological features and breaf soil profile descriptions are shown in this papero Several patterned ground structures such as polygons, stone circles and striated soils were found. AII these features are due mainly to cryoturbation processes. Soils present a frozen subsoil (permafrost) and they have been developed under freezingjthawing conditions. On the other hand fluvioglacial influences are present in soil profiles at Torres del Paine National Park.

Keywords: periglacial soils, red soils, cryoturbation, Antaretic.
1 Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales. Universidad de Chile, Casilla 1004, Santiago. Chile.