Land and Soil Resources Quick Check
3 of 43 of 4 Items
Question
A student makes a list of all the soil layers in a temperate region. Which layer would be located farthest from the surface of the Earth?(1 point)
Responses
topsoil (A)
topsoil (A)
organic layer (O)
organic layer (O)
bedrock (R)
bedrock (R)
parent material (C)
parent material (C)
The correct answer is bedrock (R). Bedrock is located farthest from the surface of the Earth in a soil profile.
The layer that would be located farthest from the surface of the Earth in a temperate region is the bedrock (R).
To determine which layer would be located farthest from the surface of the Earth in a temperate region, we need to understand the different layers of soil.
Soil is composed of several layers, or horizons, each with its own unique characteristics. These horizons are labeled with letters to help identify them. The typical order of soil horizons, from top to bottom, is O, A, E, B, C, and R.
In this question, we are given four options: topsoil (A), organic layer (O), bedrock (R), and parent material (C).
The topsoil (A) is the uppermost layer and contains a high amount of organic matter, minerals, and nutrients. The organic layer (O) is a layer of partially decomposed organic matter, like leaves and decaying plant material. The bedrock (R) is the solid rock beneath the soil layers. The parent material (C) is the layer where the soil is formed, and it contains fragments of rock.
Now, to determine which layer would be located farthest from the surface, we need to consider that as we move deeper into the Earth, the layers become more compact and solid. Therefore, the layer farthest from the surface would be the bedrock (R).
So, the correct answer to the question is bedrock (R).