What process leads to the formation of soil from parent material?

The formation of soil from parent material primarily occurs through the process of weathering. Weathering involves the breakdown of rocks and minerals into smaller particles over time due to various natural forces, including physical, chemical, and biological processes. Physical weathering might involve the expansion and contraction of rocks due to temperature changes, while chemical weathering includes reactions that alter the minerals within the rocks, such as the carbonation of calcium carbonate in limestone. Biological weathering happens through the action of organisms, like roots growing into cracks in rocks.

As the parent material is weathered, the particles created mix with organic matter from decaying plants and organisms. This results in the development of soil, which is a complex mixture of mineral particles, organic matter, water, and air, capable of supporting plant life. The gradual accumulation of this weathered material leads to the development of distinct soil horizons over time.

Other processes such as compaction, deposition, and evaporation do not primarily involve the transformation of parent material into soil. Compaction refers to the process where soil particles are pressed together, increasing density, but it does not create soil from parent material. Deposition involves the accumulation of materials laid down by natural processes like water or wind but does not relate to the breaking down of parent