What can a one-meter column of soil reveal about the ground beneath your feet? Soil forms in layers called horizons. Each horizon has a distinct color and texture shaped by years of weathering. You use an auger (a drill-shaped tool) to extract soil cores down to one meter. You lay each core on a tarp and look for changes in color and consistency. You test whether each layer feels gritty like sand or smooth like silt. You also check whether it feels sticky like clay. You note any rocks and roots at each depth. You test for free carbonates as well. Mapping these horizons builds a detailed soil profile.