Soils around the world

Let's start this lesson with observation. Take a close look at the soils in front of you and allow yourself a moment to simply observe. Which one catches your eye immediately? Which one would you want to explore in real life?

Choose the soil that resonates most with you. Then briefly reflect on what sparked your interest. Is it the colours, the depth, the contrasts, or the patterns you notice? What kind of place do you imagine above this soil?

These images show soil monoliths — carefully extracted vertical sections of soil. Soil scientists study soils by observing such vertical cross-sections, called soil profiles, which reveal the different soil layers (or horizons) that formed over time. Soil profiles are typically about 1–2 meters deep and are studied by exposing a vertical section of soil, for example by digging a pit or drilling a borehole.

Browse the World Soil Museum for soil monoliths from around the world.