 Commonly have dark organic surface layer and mineral layer underlain by permafrost.  A lot of times they have slow decomposition resulting in a peat layer on the surface.  They have a high level of organic Carbon.  Typical horizon sequence would be, A, Bw, Cf (frozen soil)

 Commonly found in tundra regions of Alaska.  Not found in MN.  Also found in cold climates that contain permafrost within 2 meters of surface.  Found in High latitude polar regions and high mountain elevations as well.

 A typical diagnostic feature of Gelisols is permafrost. (permafrost soil is soil at or below the freezing point of water (0 °C or 32 °F) for two or more years).

 9.1 % of Earth’s ice-free soil is gelisols.  8.7 % of U.S. ice-free soil is gelisols.