Thaw depth thaw line than clays. Yet another factors are the vegetation and the percentage of the soil organic matter, which influence the bulk density of the soil, and hence thermal conductivity. Thaw depth In soil science, the thaw depth or thaw line is the instantaneous level down to which the soil has warmed to zero degrees celcius. The active layer thickness is the maximum thaw depth over a period of two years. The layer of soil over the thaw depth is called the active layer, while the soil below is called permafrost. The term frost front refers to the varying position
Soil horizon the solum. D horizon D horizons are not universally distinguished, but in the Australian system refer to "any soil material below the solum that is unlike the solum in its general character, is not C horizon, and cannot be given reliable horizon designation… [it] may be recognized by the contrast in pedologic organization between it and the overlying horizons" (National Committee on Soil and Terrain, 2009, p. 151). R horizon R horizons denote the layer of partially weathered or unweathered bedrock at the base of the soil profile. Unlike the above layers, R horizons largely comprise continuous masses (as opposed