Discover our planet, one place at a time
Uncover the hidden geological hazard of expansive soils—clay-rich ground that swells when wet and cracks when dry, causing billions in damage to buildings and infrastructure worldwide. This slow-motion geological process,…
Beneath our feet lies a hidden world, a microscopic landscape of immense importance. The rhizosphere, the thin layer of soil surrounding plant roots, is a bustling hub of activity that…
Soil liquefaction is the terrifying geological process where saturated, sandy soil loses its strength and behaves like a liquid during an earthquake. This phenomenon can cause buildings to tilt and…
Beneath our feet lie ancient, fossilized soils called paleosols—geological time capsules that preserve the secrets of Earth's past. By learning to read their colors, textures, and chemical signatures, geologists can…
Beneath our feet lies a hidden biography of the landscape, written in distinct layers of earth known as soil horizons. This post delves into the vertical geography of the O,…
Terra Preta do Índio is a mysterious, man-made "black earth" found in the Amazon rainforest that stands in stark contrast to the region's typically infertile soils. Created by pre-Columbian civilizations,…
Not all soil is created equal. This post explores Chernozem, a rare and precious "black earth" so fertile it forms the foundation of the world's great breadbaskets. From the battle-scarred…