Which of the following soil types is known for its dry cracks?

Vertisols are a soil type that is highly characterized by their expansive and contracting properties, which leads to the formation of dry cracks, particularly during dry periods. This soil type contains a significant amount of clay minerals, specifically montmorillonite, which have the ability to swell when wet and shrink when dry. As the moisture content decreases, these soils can develop large fissures and cracks that are quite pronounced.

In contrast, while clay soils can also crack when dry, they may not exhibit the same dramatic cracking behavior as vertisols due to differences in composition and texture. Sandy soils typically drain quickly and do not retain water well, leading to little to no cracking. Peat soils, which are rich in organic material, tend to remain moist and are less prone to dry cracking compared to other soil types. Therefore, vertisols are uniquely notable for their dry cracking behavior, making them the correct answer for this question.