1. The Scoop on Soil

2. Of What is Soil Made? sand rocks dried plants dead organisms water air

3. Soil Stacks Up

4. What are Some Processes that Form Soil? Decay of plant matter Settling of volcanic ash Transport by rain, streams, and rivers Deposition of sediments in rivers and lakes Weathering Erosion

5. Decay of Plants

6. Settling of Volcanic Ash

7. Transport by Rain

8. Deposition of Sediment

9. Weathering http://video.yahoo.com/watch/1794281/5931 740 http://video.yahoo.com/watch/1794281/5931 740

10. There are Two Main Types of Weathering Mechanical Chemical

11. In the next 7 slides, try to determine what caused the weathering.

18. Erosion http://video.yahoo.com/watch/1794382/5933 084 http://video.yahoo.com/watch/1794382/5933 084

19. Erosion from Gravity

20. Erosion by Wind

21. Erosion by Water

22. Erosion by Ice

23. What’s good about erosion? New soil is formed. Erosion results in deposits of dark, fertile soil, perfect for growing crops. Erosion reveals marvels of nature such as mountains, sandstone arches, and polished cliffs. Without erosion, rock debris would simply pile up. Soil erosion may slow down global warming by carrying carbon into wetlands where it is stored for long periods of time. (theory)

24. What’s bad about erosion? Land can be stripped of soils needed for food to grow. Landslides can destroy whatever is in their paths. Rivers can be filled with silt, disrupting their ecosystems. Erosion causes cracks, gaps, and ditches in the landscape. When soil erodes, it cannot support many types of plant life.

25. What can be done to prevent erosion? Plant trees and bushes along riverbanks to hold soil in place. Plant trees that will block the wind. Use careful, smart farming practices that won’t disturb topsoil. Use common-sense approaches to construction, such as don’t build on steep slopes. When hiking, stay on trails.

26. Review Answer: Weathering is breaking down rock into pebbles and sand by physical or chemical processes. 1. What is weathering?

27. 2. Give at least three examples of weathering processes. Answer: Wind, water, ice, heating, cooling, acid rain.

28. 3. What is erosion? Answer: Erosion is the movement of Earth materials by processes such as wind, water, ice, and gravity.

29. 4. Explain how the formation of soil is related to weathering of rock. Answer: Rocks are broken into small pieces by the process of weathering. Then the small particles become part of the soil.

30. 5. How does deposition of sediments relate to soil formation? Answer: As sediments fall to the bottom of rivers and lakes, they build up deposits to form soil.

31. 6. Name at least two forces that cause erosion. Answer: Wind, water, gravity.

32. 7. What is soil? Soil is the thin living skin that covers the land. It goes down into the ground just a short way. Soil is more than rock particles. It includes all the living things and the materials they make or change. Soil is a precious resource that sustains life on earth.

33. 8. Name at least three layers of soil. Organic layer, topsoil, subsoil, parent material

34. 9. What can you personally do to help prevent erosion? Plant trees and bushes along riverbanks to hold soil in place. When hiking, stay on trails.

35. What process causes landslide erosion? gravity

36. Credits The Rock Cycle http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/rockcyclehttp://www.geolsoc.org.uk/rockcycle Soil Forming Factors http://soil.gsfc.nasa.gov/soilform/parmat.htmhttp://soil.gsfc.nasa.gov/soilform/parmat.htm Dirt: The Scoop on Soil (Amazing Science) [Paperback] RosinskyRosinsky, Natalie M (Author)Natalie M The Open Door Website http://www.saburchill.com/lab/field/field02.htmlhttp://www.saburchill.com/lab/field/field02.html Soil Profile http://library.thinkquest.org/J003195F/newpage5.htmhttp://library.thinkquest.org/J003195F/newpage5.htm Soil is not dirt http://www.wsu.edu/gened/learn-modules/top_agrev/2-soil/soil1.htmlhttp://www.wsu.edu/gened/learn-modules/top_agrev/2-soil/soil1.html The Dirt on Soil http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/soil/down_dirty.html http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/soil/down_dirty.html What is soil? http://www.blogdivvy.com/growing-vegetables/what-is-soil.htmhttp://www.blogdivvy.com/growing-vegetables/what-is-soil.htm Geography4Kids.com http://www.geography4kids.com/files/land_weathering.html Tree Hugger http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/08/greenland-crack-up.php http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/08/greenland-crack-up.php Deadly Landslides in Guatamala http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2010/sep/06/guatemala-landslides http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2010/sep/06/guatemala-landslides Wikipedia Weathering and Soils http://www.iamtonyang.com/0407/oak_leaves.jpghttp://www.iamtonyang.com/0407/oak_leaves.jpg Soil Forming Factors http://soil.gsfc.nasa.gov/soilform/deposits.htmhttp://soil.gsfc.nasa.gov/soilform/deposits.htm How Stuff Works http://science.howstuffworks.com/dictionary/petrology- terms/volcanic-ash.htmhttp://science.howstuffworks.com/dictionary/petrology- terms/volcanic-ash.htm North Coast Journal http://www.northcoastjournal.com/011603/cover0116.htmlhttp://www.northcoastjournal.com/011603/cover0116.html Just the facts http://www.cfact.org/a/765/Ecological-benefits-of-soil-erosionhttp://www.cfact.org/a/765/Ecological-benefits-of-soil-erosion