Aridic soil is soil that is subjected to an arid climate.
Despite the lack of a clear definition, aridic soils do possess certain unique characteristics. Large areas of bare rock and coarse weathered mantle. Major inputs of aeolian material. Low rates of erosion, especially in ancient shield deserts such as the Sahara and in Australia, permitting the survival of extensive areas of very old soils. Abrupt soil boundaries as a consequence of abrupt thresholds in soil behavior with respect to slope, drainage, and windblown sand and organic material.