Forensic Geology Exam – Soil Formation, Composition, Weathering & Pollen Analysis Verified Questions Provided with A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026

Forensic Geology Exam – Soil Formation, Composition, Weathering & Pollen Analysis Verified Questions Provided with A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026 What is soil composed of? inorganic mineral matter (45%), organic matter (5%), air (25%), and water (25%). What is the composition of soil profile? 1. organic layer 2. topsoil 3. subsoil 4. bedrock Organic layer of soil dark colored and can be very fertile Topsoil rich in humus, contains decaying organisms and microorganisms Subsoil poor in humus, contains inorganic particles, minerals, and organic substances leeched from topsoil Bedrock fragment and clay Rocks naturally-occurring solid materials composed of minerals Mineral solid material consisting of various chemical elements in a crystal structure Differences in rock occur between the composition of types of minerals, quantity of minerals, and amount of silica Rocks with ____ (lower/higher) amounts of silica concentration break first. lower Weathering general term to describe breaking down of rocks and can be physical or chemical What are the 2 types of thermal weathering 1. mineral expansion 2. exfoliation Mineral expansion heating and cooling of rock results in fracturing Exfoliation Temp differences between inner and outer parts of the rock, where the outside are gradually peeled away What are the 3 types of mechanical weathering? 1. frost shattering 2. swelling and shrinking 3. biological weathering Frost shattering when water freezes it expands and force in cracks create breaks Swelling and shrinking caused by the different rates of swelling and shrinking of diff minerals when exposed to water which eventually caus