Origin of Soil

Origin of Soils

Soils are formed by weathering of rocks due to mechanical disintegration of chemical

decomposition. When a rock surface gets exposed to atmosphere for an appreciable time, it
disintegrates or decomposes into small particles and thus the soils are formed.
Origin of Soil

Soil may be considered

as an incidental material
obtained from the
geologic cycle which goes
on continuously in nature.
The geologic cycle
consists of erosion,
transportation, deposition
and upheaval of soil

Origin of Soil and Grain Size CE322 by: CE Faculty

 Origin of Soils

If the soil stays at the place of its formation just above the parent rock, it is known as residual
soil or sedentary soil. When the soil has been deposited at a place away from the place of
its origin, it is called a transported soil.
Origin of Soil

Residual Soil Transported Soil

- The engineering properties of residual
soils vary considerably from the top layer
to the bottom layer. Residual soils have a
gradual transition from relatively fine
material near the surface to large
fragments of stones at greater depth. The
properties of the bottom layer resemble
that of the parent rock in many aspects.
The thickness of the residual soil formation
is generally limited to a few maters.
- The engineering properties of
transported soils are entirely different from
the properties of the rock at the place of
deposition. Deposits of transported soils
are quite thick and are usually uniform.
Most of the soil deposits with which a
geotechnical engineer has to deal are
transported soils.

Origin of Soil and Grain Size CE322 by: CE Faculty

 Formation of Soils
Origin of Soil

Origin of Soil and Grain Size CE322 by: CE Faculty

 Three types of rocks

Igneous rocks are formed by the

solidification of molten magma
ejected from deep within the
Origin of Soil

earth’s mantle. After ejection by

either fissure eruption or volcanic
eruption, some of the molten
magma cools on the surface of the
earth. Sometimes magma ceases
its mobility below the earth’s
surface and cools to form intrusive
igneous rocks that are called
plutons.

Origin of Soil and Grain Size CE322 by: CE Faculty

 Three types of rocks

The deposits of gravel, sand, silt,

and clay formed by weathering
may become compacted by
Origin of Soil

overburden pressure and

cemented by agents like iron
oxide, calcite, dolomite, and
quartz. Cementing agents are
generally carried in solution by
groundwater. They fill the spaces
between particles and form
sedimentary rock. Rocks formed
in this way are called detrital
sedimentary rocks.

Origin of Soil and Grain Size CE322 by: CE Faculty

 Three types of rocks

Metamorphism is the process of

changing the composition and
texture of rocks (without melting)
Origin of Soil

by heat and pressure. During

metamorphism, new minerals are
formed, and mineral grains are
sheared to give a foliated texture
to metamorphic rock.

Origin of Soil and Grain Size CE322 by: CE Faculty

 Transportation of Soil

(1)Water Transported Soils

Flowing water is one of the most important agents of transportation of soils. Swift
running water carries a large quantity of soil either in suspension or by rolling along the bed.
Water erodes the hills and deposits the soil in the valleys. All type of soils carried and
Origin of Soil

deposited by water are known as alluvial deposits. Deposits made in lakes are called
lacustrine deposits. Marine deposits are formed when the flowing water carries soils to ocean
or sea.

Origin of Soil and Grain Size CE322 by: CE Faculty

 Transportation of Soil

(2) Wind Transported Soils

Soil particles are transported by wind. The particle size of the soil depends upon the
velocity of wind. The finer particles are carried far away from the place of the formation. A
dust storm gives a visual evidence of the soil particles carried by wind. Soils deposited by
Origin of Soil

wind are known as aeolian deposits.

Large sand dunes

It occurs in arid regions and on the leeward side of sea with sandy
beaches

Loess
These deposits have low density, high compressibility, low bearing
capacity, and high permeability

Origin of Soil and Grain Size CE322 by: CE Faculty

 Transportation of Soil

(3) Glacier-Deposited Soils

Glaciers are large masses of ice formed by the compaction of snow. As the glaciers
grow and move, they carry with them soils varying in size from fine-grained to huge boulders.
Soils gets mixed with the ice and are transported far away from their origin position. Drift is a
Origin of Soil

general term used for the deposits made by glaciers directly or indirectly. Deposits directly
made by melting of glaciers are called till.

Origin of Soil and Grain Size CE322 by: vkis-caingles

 Transportation of Soil

(4) Gravity-Deposited Soils

Soils can be transported through short distances under the action of gravity. Rock
fragments and soil masses collected at the foot of the cliffs or steep slopes had fallen from
higher elevation under the action of the gravitational force. Colluvial soils, such as talus, have
Origin of Soil

been deposited by the gravity. Talus consists of irregular, coarse particles. It is good source of
broken rock pieces and coarse-grained soils for many engineering works.

(5) Soils transported by combined action

Sometimes, two or more agents of transportation act jointly and transport the soil.
Example, a soil particle may fall under gravity and may be carried by wind to a far off place. It
might be picked up agin by flowing water and deposited. A glacier may carry it still further

Origin of Soil and Grain Size CE322 by: CE Faculty