‘Soilsmology’ Using Seismic Waves to Assess Soil Health

Scientists with the Earth Rover program are using seismic waves to aid in mapping soil health with minimal ground disturbance, reports The Guardian. They say that the way the waves bounce underground can reveal soil structure, dryness, and even the level of organic matter in the soil. The “soilsmology” testing is low-cost, not as labor intensive as soil sampling, and can potentially create detailed maps of different soil types across a single field.