Soil horizons, minerals, organic matter, microbes, water, erosion, and soil conservation.
Soil forms where rock weathering mixes with organic material, water, air, and living organisms. It is essential for most terrestrial ecosystems and agriculture.


Explore the key ideas behind soil horizons.
Learn MoreExplore the key ideas behind mineral particles.
Learn MoreExplore the key ideas behind organic matter.
Learn MoreExplore the key ideas behind soil organisms.
Learn MoreExplore the key ideas behind water and air.
Learn MoreExplore the key ideas behind soil formation.
Learn MoreExplore the key ideas behind soil erosion.
Learn MoreExplore the key ideas behind conservation.
Learn MoreSoil Horizons is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying soil horizons also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Mineral Particles is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying mineral particles also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Organic Matter is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying organic matter also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Soil Organisms is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying soil organisms also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Water and Air is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying water and air also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Soil Formation is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying soil formation also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Soil Erosion is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying soil erosion also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.
Conservation is one part of the larger Earth system. Earth scientists compare rocks, landforms, maps, measurements, fossils, satellite observations, and field evidence to understand how this topic formed and how it changes over time. Studying conservation also shows how slow geologic processes can build dramatic landscapes over thousands to millions of years. Weather, water, ice, gravity, heat from inside Earth, and plate movement often work together rather than acting separately.