For use in all LRRs, except for V, W, X, and Y.

A layer starting at a depth ≤15 cm (6 inches) from the soil surface in which iron-manganese oxides and/or organic matter have been stripped from the matrix and the primary base color of the soil material has been exposed. The stripped areas and translocated oxides and/or organic matter form a faintly contrasting pattern of two or more colors with diffuse boundaries. The stripped zones are 10 percent or more of the volume and are rounded.

User Notes: This indicator includes the indicator previously named “polychromatic matrix” as well as the term “streaking.” Common or many areas of stripped (unmasked) soil materials are required. The stripped areas are typically 1 to 3 cm (0.5 to 1 inch) in size but may be larger or smaller. Commonly, the stripped areas have value of 5 or more and chroma of 2 or less, and the unstripped areas have chroma of 3 and/or 4. The matrix (predominant color) may not have the material with chroma of 3 and/or 4. The mobilization and translocation of oxides and/or organic matter is the important process and should result in splotchy pattern of masked and unmasked soil areas. This may be a difficult pattern to recognize and is more evident when a horizontal slice is observed.