Sediments and Soils Explained — Weathering, Soil Horizons, and Earth's Surface Veneer | Interlude B from Earth: Portrait of a Planet
Sediments and Soils Explained — Weathering, Soil Horizons, and Earth's Surface Veneer | Interlude B from Earth: Portrait of a Planet What lies between solid rock and the air we breathe? In Interlude B of Earth: Portrait of a Planet , Stephen Marshak examines sediments and soils—the thin but crucial layer covering Earth’s surface. These materials are the products of weathering and biological processes, forming the foundation for terrestrial ecosystems and agriculture. For a concise visual summary, watch the chapter video on YouTube , or read on for a full breakdown of this key geological topic. The Formation of Sediments and Soil Physical Weathering: Rocks are broken down by frost wedging, root growth, salt crystal formation, jointing, and exfoliation. These processes create clasts (rock fragments) that accumulate as sediment. Chemical Weathering: Water, acids, and oxygen react with minerals to cause dissolution, oxidation (rusting), hydrolysis (breaking down feldsp...