Volcanic Basalt Soil Remineralization
Volcanic ash from Sakurajima Kagoshima Japan
Mineral-rich Volcanic Basalt
Volcanic basalt naturally improves root systems, increases yields, and boosts general plant health in various crops and conditions. In addition, there is now undeniable evidence that rock minerals can help restore soil health, minimize crop deficiencies, and boost resistance to pests and disease.
Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens in the Cascade Range, Washington State
The 1980 Mount St. Helens explosive eruption in Washington State deposited fresh rock dust in eleven states downwind. As with all the volcanoes in the Cascade Range, Mount St. Helens is a cone consisting of lava rock interlayered with ash, pumice and other deposits. The mountain also has layers of basalt [2] and andesite [1] through which several domes of dacite lava [3] have erupted.
But not all rock dust is alike. For example, volcanic ash is high in quartz, but volcanic basalt is best for soils. That’s because basalt’s ability to increase soil function and productivity is a major mechanism influencing positive crop response, as measured by cation exchange capacity.
Paramagnetism and Healthy Soils
The healthiest farm soils are paramagnetic; they contain atoms with one or more unpaired electrons, enabling the flow of electromagnetic forces from the atmosphere to plant materials. In soils where paramagnetism has eroded away, adding ground volcanic basalt reestablishes the balance necessary for increased biological activity and the resulting plant growth.
Given a chance, plants will actively seek to acquire nutrients from their surroundings to overcome imbalances. Research shows that fine roots will attack rock particles as a physiological consequence of mineral deficiency. However, in mineral-rich soil, plants don’t have to work nearly hard to survive. Volcanic basalt has been shown to minimize deficiencies, improve root systems and help grow stronger crops with higher yields and higher levels of nutrition.
More about the benefits of volcanic basalt can be found at the link below:
- [1] Volcanic rock intermediate between silica-poor basalt and silica-rich rhyolite.
- [2] Fine-grained extrusive igneous rock formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity lava that is rich in magnesium and iron.
- [3] Volcanic rock formed by rapid solidification of lava high in silica and low in alkali metal oxides.
