SOIL FORMATION

SECTION 3

define the term SOIL

• LOOSE unconsolidated mineral and organic mineral at or near the surface of the earth

• LOOSE SURFACE MATERIAL THAT COVERS MOST LAND

3 major rock types?

• IGNEOUS ROCK

  • are formed by the crystallization, cooling and solidification of magma.

  • the process of forming igneous rock can occur in either intrusive or extrusive

• SEDIMENTARY ROCK

  • weathering, which is the breakdown of rocks

  • erosion and

    • are formed by LITHIFICATION meaning, the compaction and cementation of sediments.

• METAMORPHIC ROCK

  • are created when igneous, sedimentary rocks TRANSFORMED BY GREAT HEAT AND PRESSURE

GENERAL BASICS OF WEATHERING/DEPOSITION/EROSION

• WEATHERING

  • process which rocks and minerals are broken into smaller pieces called SEDIMENTS

  • there are 2 types of weathering (MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL)

  • MECHANICAL - rocks are broken down into smaller fragments by mechanical process

  • CHEMICAL - rocks are decomposed by chemical reactions

• DEPOSITION

  • transported sediments that are laid down or dropped off in new locations.

• EROSION

  • a process which is a transportation of a broken down rocks or sediments

BASIC WPG GEOLOGY (FORMATION PROCESS)

the movement and pressire advancing glaciers created mixtures of clas sild sandn gravel and booulders know a glacial till covers bedrock. the wpg are consist of LACUSTRINE clas overlaying glacial till and limestone bedrock