Weathering and Soil Formation

Rocks can be sedimentary, metamorphic or igneous. As igneous rocks form, they are the result of liquid rock becoming a solid. Without the forces that change rocks, they would stay as large solids for years.

However, in the Weathering and Erosion Sci-ber text page, you learned how rocks are broken down into smaller pieces. When one rock splits it forms two or more smaller rocks. Smaller rocks have a larger surface area than the larger rock did. A greater surface area allows weathering to happen more rapidly.

As various weathering agents work on rocks, the rocks are slowly broken down. Look closely at the photogrpah at the right. You should notice that the sedimentary rocks are found in layers. There is some snow on the rocks. Some of the snow is melting. The snow and water help to break down this sedimentary rock and form small pieces of soil.

The evidence that some soil is present is found in the plants which appear to be growing "out" of the rock. In reality, these plants have roots that are growing in soil that is located in the cracks of the rock.