Soils are complex mixtures of weathered rock, minerals, organic matter, water, and air that occur in varying proportions. They formed through the chemical and physical weathering of geologic material. The extent of the weathering and the characteristics of any soil that forms depend on the nature of the parent material; the kind of climate; the relief, or lay of the land; the plant and animal life in and on the soil; and the length of time these factors have affected development.

In Centre County, where vegetation, time, and climate vary only slightly, the nature of the parent material produces more differences in the texture and mineral content of soils than most of the other soil-forming factors. Climate influences the nature and extent of the weathering processes. Relief affects drainage, aeration, runoff, erosion, and exposure to sun and wind. Plant andanimal life influence soil characteristics by both physical and chemical removals and additions.Finally, time is required for the other soil-forming factors to exert their influence. Long periods of time are necessary for changes in soils to become apparent. Nevertheless, soils are slowly but constantly changing.

10/15/98