Do Now 10/8/13 1.Which type of crust is more dense? 2.What type of luster would a diamond have? 3.List four agents of erosion. 4.What is deposition?

Do Now 10/9/13 1.Which is more dense, a pile of pebbles or a pile of sand? For 2-4, state whether it is an example of mechanical or chemical weathering. 2.Water freezes in the crack of a rock. 3.Waterfall hits a layer of rock. 4.Moss grows on a hillside and slowly breaks the rock.

Do Now 10/10/13 For each question state whether it is an example of weathering, erosion, or deposition. 1.A rock is carried downstream 2.A pile of sediment at the base of a hill 3.Tree roots growing into a rock 4.Red colored streaks on a piece of granite

SOIL

1) What is soil? Soil is the portion of Earth’s surface that consists of organic matter mixed with sediment, air, and water.

2) What are the components of soil? Organic Material Humus – decayed plants and animals.

2) What are the components of soil? Sediments – weathered rock SandSiltClay

2) What are the components of soil? Water, air, and living organisms

3) Where does soil come from? Soil is made from weathered rock fragments. The type of soil depends on the type of rock that weathers.

4) What is the Parent Rock? The parent rock is the rock that is weathered to create the soil. Ex: If granite weathers to make soil then granite is the parent rock of that soil.

5) What factors affect soil formation? a. Parent Rock – affects type of soil and rate at which the soil develops b.Climate - soils form more quickly in warm, wet environments where weathering of parent rock is quicker/also affects the organic makeup of the soil c.Living Organisms – soil forms more quickly with plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi to assist with weathering/also affects the organic makeup of the soil

Factors That Affect Soil Formation (continued) d. Topography – Steepness, shape, and length of slope are important because they influence the rate at which water flows into or off the soil, affecting the rate of soil formation. e. Time - The longer a soil surface has been exposed to soil forming agents like rain and growing plants, the greater the development of the soil. Soils take thousands or millions of years to form.

1) What is the soil profile? The soil profile is a cross section that shows the different layers of soil.

2) What are the characteristics of the horizons? Horizon O – dark layer of decaying sticks, leaves, and some humus. Horizon A – dark layer called topsoil that is humus and small pieces of rock. This layer is home to animals. (bugs and worms)

2) What are the characteristics of the horizons? Horizon B – layer called sub- soil made of weathered rock pieces, clay and rocks. Horizon C – layer of weathered rock pieces and minerals. (Parent Rock) Horizon D – layer of solid rock, called bedrock.

3) What is Humus? Humus is the material that is produced by the bacterial decay of plant and animal matter (organic matter).

4) What is Bedrock? Bedrock is the layer of solid rock formations beneath the soil. (Parent Rock)