Lithology and Stratigraphy . Most of the area is underlain by morainal, stream, or lake deposits of unknown thickness. End moraines of pre-Wisconsin glacial advances are common. Cenozoic and Cretaceous marine sedimentary rocks prevail. Soil Taxa .
Soils are wet and shallow to permafrost.
Dominant soils are Histic Pergelic Cryaquepts and Pergelic Cryofibrists. Soils are formed from stratified silty or sandy alluvial deposits, as well as volcanic ash and loess. Potential Natural Vegetation . Since standing water is almost always present, wet tundra communities consisting of sedge mats predominate. Peat ridges, drainage ways, and polygonal features provide better drainage upon which woody plants like white spruce, willows, alder, and paper birch occur.