<p>When a volcanic island first surfaces, I assume no vegetation can grow, as it probably only consists of volcanic rock.</p>

<p>How would a volcanic island like Iceland that is far from any continent grow to have soil, and enough of it to grow forests?</p>

<p>Is it formed through hydraulic erosion?<br>
Is it brought from the ocean floor with the currents?<br>
Do aerial currents and birds bring it with them?
If it's something that only reaches the shore, how does it move inland?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-16T00:34:58.310Z
it doesn't, the volcanic rock is converted into soil. All soil starts as rock.
John
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-16T01:13:24.543Z
@John so how does it get converted? hydraulic erosion? wind erosion? just naturally crumbles from oxidation?
Speedphoenix
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-16T02:15:17.333Z
All of the above and a few others including chemical and biological. .https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedogenesis
John
<volcanology><soil><islands>
How does fertile soil reach newborn volcanic islands?
Speedphoenix
# How does fertile soil reach newborn volcanic islands?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-05-15)

When a volcanic island first surfaces, I assume no vegetation can grow, as it probably only consists of volcanic rock.

How would a volcanic island like Iceland that is far from any continent grow to have soil, and enough of it to grow forests?

Is it formed through hydraulic erosion?  
Is it brought from the ocean floor with the currents?  
Do aerial currents and birds bring it with them?
If it's something that only reaches the shore, how does it move inland?

**Tags:** volcanology, soil, islands

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: it doesn't, the volcanic rock is converted into soil. All soil starts as rock.  
> **username_0**: @username_1 so how does it get converted? hydraulic erosion? wind erosion? just naturally crumbles from oxidation?  
> **username_1**: All of the above and a few others including chemical and biological. .https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedogenesis  

---

## 0 answers

