We cannot imagine our planet without a huge number of unique and majestic mountains. How were they formed, is there a connection between the soil and the rock masses? The formation of these important elements of the lithosphere and the difference between them is explained by the science of geology. What properties differ between rock and soil? Knowledge of these phenomena will help in understanding the surrounding biosphere.
Definition
Soil is the surface layer of land that is under our feet, it is a complex composition of organic and inorganic substances, where numerous generations of living organisms live. It was formed over millions of years from rock masses.The geology of the earth changed under the influence of erosion, precipitation, and minerals. Plant residues, microorganisms, and fallen leaves did their job.
Almost a third of all living organisms on the planet are found in soil. It is based on sand, clay and silt.
What is the difference between rock and soil?
There are significant differences between soil and rock mass.
Soil, unlike rock, has:
- Fertility. This is the most basic difference between soil and rock layers. Its presence is promoted by plant roots with living microorganisms. It largely depends on the supply of chemical elements. Nothing grows on stone or minerals.
- Humus layer enriched with humus. Plant roots and various microorganisms improve the structure of the soil, forming several layers of humus. The rock layer of the mountains has a composition whose properties remain constant.
- Density. 1 g of soil per cubic cm is considered optimal. The soil has a loose structure so that plant roots can penetrate deeper. The density of rocks is determined depending on their mineral composition, substances filling the pores (for example, gas, oil), and occurrence.
Soil-forming rocks are called parent rocks; soil is formed from them. They differ in origin, composition, structure.
How soil is formed
The soil was formed under the influence of powerful natural factors from rock over millions of years. About 95% of the rock masses on earth are formed from solidified magma; they almost do not participate in soil formation. The sediment forms a middle layer where plants do not grow, but there are many minerals.
Chemical weathering of stones occurs with the participation of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water. Rocks of mountains from various minerals dissolve in water. As a result, minerals appear and acquire new properties (for example, absorption).
Biological weathering is the last step in soil creation. Microorganisms are also involved in the destruction of mountains, and then themselves become part of the future earth's soil, enriching it with minerals.
Soil is an intermediate link between living and inanimate nature. For example, minerals such as peat, limestone, and elements of inanimate nature are formed from the remains of living microorganisms.
The voids in the soil layers are filled with air, where microorganisms settle, which decompose after death, then organically enrich the soil. The process of soil formation is divided into primary and anthropogenic, the second is associated with human influence.
The beginning of soil formation is considered to be the moment when microorganisms and plants settled in the weathering products of mountain layers, and it was their remains that transformed the soil into a new natural body. The most important indicator of this new body is fertility.
Rock formation
The natural formation of mountains occurs in three types:
- magmatic;
- sedimentary;
- metamorphic.
Igneous origin is primary. Magma could erupt from the depths onto the earth's surface, then cool and solidify over time.It has a massive, dense structure, occupies 95 percent of the total mass, but does not become soil-forming.
The most common element of igneous formation is granite. It was formed from magma that was deep in the earth in a liquid state.
Metamorphic types of rock masses were formed as a result of changes occurring in the thickness of sedimentary and igneous rocks. From exposure to hot gases, strong and prolonged compression, changes occur that lead to the appearance of minerals: talc, graphite, chlorite, and marble.
The formation of rocks and minerals that result from the transformation of mountains is always a subject of great interest to study.
