What Is the Main Process by Which Soils Form?

Soil forms continuously, but slowly, from the gradual breakdown of rocks through weathering. Weathering can be a physical, chemical or biological process: physical weathering—breakdown of rocks from the result of a mechanical action.

What Is the Main Process by Which Soils Form?

The main process by which soils form is through the process of weathering. Weathering is the process by which rocks and minerals are broken down by the action of water, wind, and ice.

Over time, these weathering processes create soil particles that are small enough to be moved by the wind and water. Soils are formed from a variety of different rocks and minerals, and the specific composition of a soil will depend on the types of rocks and minerals that are present in the area where the soil forms.

The weathering process begins when rocks are exposed to the atmosphere. The first step in weathering is called physical weathering, which is the breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces by the action of wind, water, and ice.

Physical weathering can occur very quickly, such as when a rock is broken by a hammer, or it can occur very slowly, such as when a rock is slowly eroded by wind and water.

The second step in weathering is called chemical weathering, which is the breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces by the action of chemicals.

Chemical weathering can occur very quickly, such as when a rock is dissolved by acid rain, or it can occur very slowly, such as when a rock is slowly oxidized by