Origin of Soils

1.
Origin of Soils and

Rocks (Das, Chapter
2)
I ntroduction
• The mineral grains that form the solid phase of

a soil aggregate are the product of rock
weathering.
• The physical properties of soil are dictated by

the size, shape, and chemical composition of the
grains, and hence the rock from which is
derived.
• Rocks are compact, semi-hard to hard mass

composed of one or several minerals.
2
Origin of Soil
(Das, Chapter 2)
I ntroduction
• The mineral grains that form the solid phase of

a soil aggregate are the product of rock
weathering.
• The physical properties of soil are dictated by

the size, shape, and chemical composition of the
grains, and hence the rock from which is
derived.
• Rocks are compact, semi-hard to hard mass

composed of one or several minerals.
2
On the basis of their mode of origin, rocks can be
divided into three basic types:
• Igneous rocks
• Sedimentary rocks
• Metamorphic rocks
1 . Igneous Rocks
Formed by solidification of molten M agma ejected
from deep within earth’s mantle.
Magma has originated well below the surface and

ascended towards the surface, and has crystallized as
solid rock either on the s urface or deep within the
earth's crust as temperature fell.
4
2 . Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary rocks are widely spread over the surface of earth.
They constitute about 75% of the area of the continents.
Development
W eathering reduces the exposed rock mass to fragmented
particles which can be more easily transported more easily by
wind, water, and ice.
 When dropped by the agents of t ransportation, they are called
SEDIMENTS.
 Sediments are typically deposited in layers or beds termed
STRATA.
 When compacted and cemented together (a process called
LITHIFICATION), they formed sedimentary rocks.
5
 The process through which sediments are converted into

sedimentary rocks is called DIAGENSIS. It includes the
following phases:
1. Cementation
Water percolating through the voids (or pores) between the
particles of sediment carries mineral matter which coats the grain
and acts as cement that bind them together.
2. Compaction
The weight of top layers compacts sediments and expels water
out.
3. Crystallization
Sometimes grains of sediments are joined together due to
crystallization of some of their constituents due to pressure.
6
3. Metamorphic Rocks
 Metamorphic rocks are formed if a rock is subjected to
increase in temperature, pressure, or both, to such degree
that a new TEXTURE or possibly a new MINERAL
composition is produced.
 The process of change is referred to as

METAMORPHISM.
 The original rock may be igneous, sedimentary or

metamorphic.
7
Rock Cycle The formation cycle of

different types of rock
and the processes
Sedimentary
Rock associated with them.
This is called the rock
cycle.
The rock cycle is

important in any
discussion of soil
formation,
Metamorphic especially if we
Igneous
Rock know that soils are
Rock
nothing but
disintegrated
rocks.
8
2. FORMATION OF SOILS
Soil: some definitions

• Soils are formed from rock, loose unconsolidated
materials (may be transported), or organic
.residues
• The word ‘soil’ means different things to different

people but basically it may be defined as the solid
material on the earth’s surface that results from
the interaction of weathering and biological
activity on the soil parent material or underlying
. hard rock
Weathering
This refers to the breakdown and decomposition of
• rocks, soils and minerals into smaller pieces

through contact with the atmosphere, biota
and waters.
Weathering include comprise of mechanical and
• chemical weathering
Weathering
I . Mechanical Weathering:
It is the physical disintegration of the original rock mass
into smaller particles without any change in the
chemical composition.
Mechanical Weathering Processes:
1. Unloading or pressure release (e.g. uplift, erosion)

2. Thermal expansion and contraction (thermal
stresses)
3. Frost action
4. Biological and Organic effects (e.g. the growth of plant
roots)
12
Weathering
Photos of Mechanical Weathering:
13
II. Chemical Weathering
1. It involves the direct effect of atmospheric chemicals

or biologically produced chemicals (also known as
biological weathering) in the breakdown of rocks,
soils and minerals
14
Rates of Weathering of
Rocks
 Fine-grained rocks weather more slowly than

coarse-grained rocks of the same mineral
composition.
 Igneous rocks (excluding certain volcanic rocks

that weather rapidly) and quartzite are the most
resistant.
15
Parent Rock
Residual soils Transported soils

~ in situ weathering (by ~ weathered and
physical & chemical transported far
agents) of parent rock away
by wind, water, ice, gravity.
16
B. Transported Soils
These are soils which were formed from rock
weathering at one site and are now found at another
site. The transporting agent may be:
1. Water (Principal transporting agent)

2.Glaciers
3.Wind
4.Gravity
Transported soils are very important in

engineering because nearly all major cities
are located, at least in part, on flood plains,
deltas, and coastal plains.
17
The transported soils may be classified into several

groups, depending on their mode of transportation and
deposition:
1. Glacial soils — formed by

transportation and deposition of glaciers
2. Alluvial soils —transported by running water and

deposited along streams
3. Lacustrine soils —formed by deposition in quiet lakes

4. Marine soils —formed by deposition in the seas
5. Aeolian soils —transported and deposited by wind
6. Colluvial soils —formed by movement of soil from its
original place by gravity, such as during landslides
18

Origin of Soils

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Origin of Soils

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Origin of Soils

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1.

Origin of Soils and

• The mineral grains that form the solid phase of

• The physical properties of soil are dictated by

• Rocks are compact, semi-hard to hard mass

• The mineral grains that form the solid phase of

• The physical properties of soil are dictated by

• Rocks are compact, semi-hard to hard mass

Magma has originated well below the surface and

 The process through which sediments are converted into

 The process of change is referred to as

 The original rock may be igneous, sedimentary or

Rock Cycle The formation cycle of

The rock cycle is

Soil: some definitions

• The word ‘soil’ means different things to different

• rocks, soils and minerals into smaller pieces

Weathering include comprise of mechanical and

1. Unloading or pressure release (e.g. uplift, erosion)

II. Chemical Weathering

1. It involves the direct effect of atmospheric chemicals

 Fine-grained rocks weather more slowly than

 Igneous rocks (excluding certain volcanic rocks

Residual soils Transported soils

1. Water (Principal transporting agent)

Transported soils are very important in

The transported soils may be classified into several

1. Glacial soils — formed by

2. Alluvial soils —transported by running water and

3. Lacustrine soils —formed by deposition in quiet lakes

You might also like