Teacher resources and professional development across the curriculum
Teacher professional development and classroom resources across the curriculum
Learner Express: Modules for Teaching and Learning
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How does hard rock turn into soil? On the Big Island of Hawaii, lush tropical forests grow out of what was once an inhospitable volcanic landscape. See how physical processes contribute to weathering: the breakdown of rock into smaller particles, leading to the formation of soil. Soil profiles provide the evidence that scientists need to uncover this story, and see a demonstration of how water percolates through different size sediments.
Two soil profiles in Hawaii demonstrate how warmer temperatures and increased rainfall can contribute to rapid rates of soil formation. View Video
On average, soil only extends about one meter below the surface. Compared to the size of the Earth, soil is just a thin veneer on the surface. View Video
By digging a pit in either Hawaii or Massachusetts, scientists learn about soil composition and how it is formed. View Video
Geologist Andy Kurtz describes how lichens and plants speed the process of soil accumulation. View Video
Soil composition is important in determining its qualities such as flow rate, which can be demonstrated by pouring water through containers. View Video
On the Big Island of Hawaii, lava from volcanoes forms new rock. Physical and chemical processes contribute to the weathering of rock into sediment and soil. View Video