Question:
When you travel in certain parts of India, you will notice red soil. What is the main reason for this colour?
When you travel in certain parts of India, you will notice red soil. What is the main reason for this colour?
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Think of what rust is made of.
Updated On: Jul 16, 2026
- Abundance of magnesium
- Accumulated humus
- Presence of ferric oxides
- Abundance of phosphates
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Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
Red soils are commonly found in peninsular India, particularly in parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, formed by the weathering of ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks.
Explanation:
The characteristic red colour of these soils comes from the presence of iron oxides, specifically ferric oxides, which coat the soil particles when iron bearing minerals in the parent rock weather under well drained conditions. Option A, abundance of magnesium, does not produce a red colouration in soil. Option B, accumulated humus, is actually associated with dark coloured soils such as regur or black cotton soil, not red soil. Option D, abundance of phosphates, has no established link to soil colour. Since the red tint is a direct result of oxidised iron compounds, ferric oxides remain the correct explanation.
Final Answer:
The red colour of the soil is mainly due to the presence of ferric oxides, option C.
Red soils are commonly found in peninsular India, particularly in parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, formed by the weathering of ancient crystalline and metamorphic rocks.
Explanation:
The characteristic red colour of these soils comes from the presence of iron oxides, specifically ferric oxides, which coat the soil particles when iron bearing minerals in the parent rock weather under well drained conditions. Option A, abundance of magnesium, does not produce a red colouration in soil. Option B, accumulated humus, is actually associated with dark coloured soils such as regur or black cotton soil, not red soil. Option D, abundance of phosphates, has no established link to soil colour. Since the red tint is a direct result of oxidised iron compounds, ferric oxides remain the correct explanation.
Final Answer:
The red colour of the soil is mainly due to the presence of ferric oxides, option C.
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