Rock History A
Scientific term for layers of rock
Strata
The wearing away of rock or soil by water or wind
Weathering and Erosion
Where does soil come from?
Weathered rock material
What is the top layer of soil called?
topsoil
What provides nourishment for plants?
nutrients
Youngest layers are on top of older layers
Law of Superposition
A fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock
Fault
this type of soil is ideal for growing plants?
loam
A type of soil containing a mixture of silt, sand, and clay
loam
Rainforest have __________ nutrients in soil whereas grasslands have ____________ in soil
low
high
What type of rock creates intrusions?
Igneous Rocks
What type of rock is deposited in layers?
Sedimentary Rock
When plants are removed and disrupt the natural water cycle causing a dry area to become drier
Desertification
what is the rock layer called beneath the soil?
bedrock
List the 3 soil textures from highest water holding capacity to lowest
Clay, Silt, Sand
If there is a break in the layers due to erosion, they can still be connected laterally and be assumed to be the same formation
Principle of Lateral Continuity
Layers are originally deposited horizontally in flat layers
What are 3 processes that are degrading our soil?
Soil Erosion
Salinization
Desertification
List the Soil Horizons in order starting at the surface
O-Horizon
A- horizon
E- horizon
B- horizon
C- horizon
The movement of sedimnet is called....
erosion
If a chunk of rock is found in a sedimentary layer, then it must be older than the sediments it was deposited in
Law of Inclusions
In order for an igneous intrusion to cut through layers of rock, the layers must first be laid down for the volcanic activity to cut through
Law of Cross Cutting
What are the four components of soil and their percentages?
Minerals - 45%
Air - 25%
Water - 25%
Organic Matter - 5%
What are the four ecosystem services that soils provide?
Carbon/Nutrient Cycling
Water Cycling and Quality
Waste Treatment and Recycling
Habitat for Living Things
What does the acronym CLORPT stand for?
Cl- climate
O- organisms
R- relief (topography)
P- parent material
T- time