Which characteristic is associated with Loess parent material?

Which characteristic is associated with Loess parent material?

• A. Wind blown and soft like flour
• B. Weathered bedrock
• C. Eroded by water or gravity
• D. Marsh or bog

Answer: (A)

The characteristic associated with Loess parent material is that it is wind-blown and has a texture similar to flour. Loess is a fine-grained, silt-sized sediment that is primarily formed from glacial deposits and transported by the wind. This sediment can be very soft and easily erodible, which is why it often possesses a powdery texture. Its wind-driven nature means that loess deposits are typically found in areas where strong winds can carry and deposit silt, leading to its accumulation. This characteristic makes loess soils highly productive for agriculture, as they often retain nutrients well due to their texture and structure. In contrast, the other options related to parent materials represent different geologic processes or environments, such as bedrock weathering, erosion by water or gravity, and organic accumulation in wetlands, which are not applicable to loess.

The characteristic associated with Loess parent material is that it is wind-blown and has a texture similar to flour. Loess is a fine-grained, silt-sized sediment that is primarily formed from glacial deposits and transported by the wind. This sediment can be very soft and easily erodible, which is why it often possesses a powdery texture.

Its wind-driven nature means that loess deposits are typically found in areas where strong winds can carry and deposit silt, leading to its accumulation. This characteristic makes loess soils highly productive for agriculture, as they often retain nutrients well due to their texture and structure. In contrast, the other options related to parent materials represent different geologic processes or environments, such as bedrock weathering, erosion by water or gravity, and organic accumulation in wetlands, which are not applicable to loess.