[2] Luvisols cover 500–600 million ha of land area, mainly in the temperate zones.

In Mediterranean regions, the formation of hematite can produce red-coloured Chromic Luvisols.

[2] The main characteristic of Luvisols is an argic horizon, a subsurface zone with higher clay content than the material above it.

[1] This typically arises as clay is washed downward by water and accumulates at greater depth.

In the USDA Soil Taxonomy, Luvisols are typically classified as Alfisols.