Comparison of soil formation rates - World vs. Iowa
Compare (World)178 years/cm -with- 0.003 in / year(Iowa)
.003 in/ year x 178 years=0.534 inches; & 0.534 inches x 2.54 cm / inch=1.356 cm & 1.356cm/178 years=0.00762 cm per year - or the Iowa rate is 0.0076 cm per year or it takes 131 years for 1 cm of soil in Iowa.
or World rate=1 cm ÷ 178 years=0.0056 cm/ year and 2.54cm / inch & .0056cm/year÷2.54cm/inch=0.0022 inch / year and x 178 years=0.39 inches/178 years.
Thus the world rate of soil formation of .0056 cm per year is slower than
the rate in Iowa of 0.0076 cm per year.
Why do you think that these general soil formation estimates are different?
See Below for Discussion.
Possible reason for faster rate in Iowa: 1) parent material is easier to weather; 2) climate promotes faster soil profile formation or there is more leaching and mineral weathering; 3) landform slopes in Iowa study site are gently so there is less erosion;4) native vegetation promoted soil protection; 5) less human influence during soil formation; 5) ???????
