Geology and Soils
Algonquin is almost entirely underlain by Precambrian-era metamorphic and igneous rock. Quartz-feldspar gneiss and granite are among the most common types. More mafic rock such as hornblende-biotite gneiss and gabbro are occasionally found. The Brent Crater has Ordovician-era sedimentary rock, chiefly limestone and sandstone. Glaciation during the Pleistocene era left a mantle of glacial till plus sandy and gravelly outwash deposits.
Soils in the Park are mostly coarse-textured. The hilly western side (which includes all of the Highway 60 Corridor) has a stony fine sandy loam glacial till which holds water better than the very coarse outwash soils which dominate the eastern side. The dominant soil classification on well drained forest soils is Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzol. The most common soil series on till upland is Monteagle, while Wendigo dominates the outwash area. Classic podzol profile development with a well-defined eluvial (Ae) horizon is the rule; however, in some areas this horizon has been obliterated by disturbance such as earthworm activity. Concerns about effects of non-native earthworms on Park soil ecosystems have not yet led to the banning of worm bait, but anglers are urged to dispose of unused worms in garbage containers.
Gleysolic and organic soils are common where drainage is poor.
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