Principles of Geology

SOIL
Soil provides
support and nutrients
for plant growth
 EROSION
is the movement of sediment and
rock to new places.
 Weathering
breaks down rocks to create soil.
It can be caused by weather,
water, or living things
 There are five components of soil:

• 1. Rock
• 2. Sand
• 3. Silt
• 4. Clay
• 5. Humus

• Can you match each type of soil to its picture?

 Rock
Rock is solid and made of minerals
 Sand
Sand is tiny grains of worn down rock. It
doesn’t hold water or have many nutrients.
 Silt
Silt is very small, broken pieces of rock. It is
larger than clay, but smaller than sand. It
is powdery when dry.
Sand ------------Silt---------------Clay
(smaller particles) (larger particles)
 CLAY
Clay holds water well. It is sticky and can be
shaped when it is wet. But, it is very hard
when dry.

Clay has many nutrients.

Clay is used for adobe or brick houses.

 Humus
Humus is made of leaves, twigs, small
animals, or other decayed substances.

Humus adds many nutrients to the soil.

Humus is in the topsoil.

 3 Layers of Soil
1. Topsoil (The layer on TOP)

2. Subsoil (The prefix SUB means under)

3. Bedrock (It’s hard as rock down there!)

 Natural Resources
• Made by NATURE

• Cannot be replaced

• Must be conserved (saved)!

 Ways to Conserve Soil
• Plant trees
• Plant grass
• Healthy farming
• Plant gardens to grow crops

• What else can you do to conserve soil?