GENERAL GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Sedimentary rock covers 75-80% of the Earth’s crust, and it forms parent materials for a large majority of soils.

Detailed explanation-2: -Parent material is the geologic material from which soil horizons form. There are seven variations of parent material. Weathered Bedrock, Till, Outwash Deposit, Eolian Sand, Loess, Alluvium, and Local Overwash.

Detailed explanation-3: -The production of soil minerals is caused by natural erosion and weathering. The parent material can be broken down by water, pressure, temperature change, gravity, wind, and living beings. Hence, the major source of minerals in the soil is the parent rock from which the soil is formed.

Detailed explanation-4: -Parent material is the starting point for most soil development. The parent material may be mineral rock and/or organic matter. When parent rock material is exposed to the atmosphere or when organic matter and/or minerals are deposited on the earth’s surface, soil formation begins.

Detailed explanation-5: -Description. Parent material is a term for the general physical, chemical, and mineralogical composition of the unconsolidated material, mineral or organic, in which soil forms. Mode of deposition and/or weathering may be implied by the name.