Process of soil formation.

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Soil formation

Soil is formed by breaking down of rocks. This process is called weathering. The weathering may be physical, chemical ar biological. It takes thousands of years to form soil from  rocks.

The river or glaciers sweep away rocks, small stones, sands, dead bodies of plants and animals. These substances collide with each other on their way and break into small particles. This process continues and soil is formed.

During day time, rocks get heated and get expanded. At night, the rocks get cooled and contracted. Continuous expand and contraction causes the breaking of rocks into smaller particles.

The two processes explained above are the physical weathering.

Rocks break into smaller particles by chemical changes. During rainy season acid rain occurs. The acid decomposes the rocks into smaller particles.

Sometimes water enters into the small crevices of the rocks. When the temperature becomes too low, the water freezes and converts into ice. The ice occupies more space causing the rocks to break.

Roots of the plants  may grow into narrow cracks of rocks. The roots grow further and breaks the rocks into smaller particles. It is a way of biological weathering.

When rocks break into smaller particles, they get mixed with water, humus, minerals and other various substances. Thus, soil is formed. 

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