Chapter+Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen:Soil and Its Uses Catie and Alex

What is the concept of plate techtonics, and what causes plate movement?

Max: This concept illustrates that continental drift, earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountains and valleys are all caused by Earth's lithoshpere, which is made up 8 tectonic plates. Scientists still are unsure of the geodynamic mechanism which moves these plates, but gravity and friction cause the many changes in the Earth's surface.

Weathering processes help reduce the size of particles that could be dislodged by moving water or air due to plate movement. Give the two major types of weathering, and explain how each one differs. List some examples of each type of weathering processes.

a) What is the difference between 'land' and 'soil'? b) A typical "good" agricultural soil is about 45% mineral, 25% air, 25% water, and 5% organic matter. Why is it important to have good proportions of soil components, (Consider Farmers and Urban dwellers,)?



There are multiple physical, chemical, and biological factors involved in soil formation. For example, organisms play an important part in the development of soil because organisms like lichen, grow on rocks and trap small particles. When the lichen dies and decomposes, it releases organic matter that chemically alters the rock underneath it, causing more fragmentation and break down of rock particles. Name two other factors that aid soil formation:

How does soil texture and soil structure differ?

Above is a picture of a soil profile. This diagram helps explains the different layers of soil, and how they differ physically, chemically and biologically.

This is a recent article about erosion on the west coast. After reading the article, explain what erosion is, and explain why it is and has been such a big problem. Are there things we can do to prevent it? What actions should be made? []

Nick: Soil erosion is a naturally occurring process in which soil is disintegrated via either wind or water.