SummaryA reconnaissance soil survey of an area of 160 sq. km. (60 sq. miles) was made in central Vestspitsbergen and the distribution of soils interpreted as a catena in which denudation has a more prominent role than in temperate regions; the more important soil characters were related to slope. The paper includes some observations on solifluction, polygonal soils, and perennially frozen ground. Finally the soils described are tentatively named according to the classifications of Kellogg&Nygard, and Kubiena.