In geoscience, paleosol is an ancient soil that formed in the past. The definition of the term in geology and paleontology is slightly different from its use in soil science.
Paleosols sequence, Tuscany, Italy
Etched section of paleosol from the Atlantic, San Salvador Island, Bahamas, indicating the top of the Pleistocene Grotto Beach Formation (limestone)
Blocky angular peds in an Eocene paleosol
Granular peds in an Oligocene paleosol
A loess is a clastic, predominantly silt-sized sediment that is formed by the accumulation of wind-blown dust. Ten percent of Earth's land area is covered by loesses or similar deposits.
Loess in Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States
Loess near Hunyuan, Datong, Shanxi, China
Loess from the Rhine lowlands near Mannheim with calcareous concretions
Medicinal clay produced by Luvos. The clay is composed of loess with a fineness grade of 1.