It seems that instead of a sea of silence, the deepest parts of the earth are booming with sounds both man-made (e.g., shipping traffic) and natural (e.g., marine life and earthquakes).

Then there are the underwater volcanoes. OSU estimates that there are more than a million of these “submarine volcanoes” spread throughout the world’s oceans. Together they produce an estimated 75% of the annual output of magma worldwide.

Geology Meets Biology

Magma is a fluid mix of molten material that comes from deep within the earth. Made up of a broad spectrum of minerals and essential elements, magma becomes lava when it is ejected during a volcanic eruption. This lava cools and solidifies relatively quickly, turning into mineral-rich volcanic rock.

And while there are different types of volcanic rocks, basalt is the rock that underlies much of the Earth’s oceans. Regions of the world that are blessed with surface extrusions of basalt also have some of the most fertile soils.

Why? Because basalt is rich in iron, magnesium, and silica. Compared to volcanic rocks which are high in quartz, basalt weathers relatively quickly which means that it begins to release nutrients to plants as soon as the roots make contact. Over time, additional nutrients become available as rocks are pried apart by water, extreme temperatures, and hungry microbes that work together to release minerals into the soil and make them available to plants.

Rock Dust: Feeding Microbes

Surely, if the microbes that have inhabited the earth since the beginning of time could speak, they’d say “Feed Us. We’re Hungry!”

That’s because much of the modern world’s soil-sustaining rock material has been stripped away thanks in large part to aggressive agriculture practices (along with other sudden and extreme climate changes). Robbed of their nutrient-rich food source, microbes have less work to do and the soil suffers—as does human health and nutrition.

So what can be done (aside from Mother Nature releasing a series of violent volcanic eruptions)? One of the quickest, easiest, and safest ways of introducing minerals back into the soil is through the process of remineralization with rock dust. Not surprisingly, one of the best sources of rock dust is volcanic basalt.

Adding finely crushed volcanic basalt to the soil is as close as it gets to mimicking the Earth’s own natural methods for restoring minerals and other essential elements back to the soil. For further reading, we recommend “Soil Minerals and Microbes: A Partnership That Benefits Plants, People and Planet.”

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Cascade Minerals is committed to the restoration and remineralization of our earth’s depleted soils. Our all-natural Remineralizing Soil Booster is made from massive basalt stones from Central Oregon’s legendary Cascade Mountains. Rocks are crushed to produce a finely milled, 100% natural product that is approved for organic production and releases the essential minerals and trace elements that plants and humans need to flourish.

The post Secrets from the Deep: Volcanic Basalt’s Mineral Benefits Are Far-Reaching appeared first on Cascade Minerals.

And yet, Nature’s regenerative abilities quickly took over. In some cases, agricultural farmlands that were downwind of the eruption saw long-term, beneficial effects as a result of the volcanic ash that was deposited on the soil.

How’s that?

Some of the richest, most fertile soil on the planet can be found near active volcanoes. Volcanic deposits release essential minerals and nutrients that are essential to plant growth and can result in increased agricultural yields.

This explains why people throughout civilization have been willing to settle near active (and potentially dangerous) volcanoes. For example, Mount Vesuvius in southern Italy has erupted more than 50 times and killed thousands of people since the eruption in 79 A.D. that buried the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Still, nearly 3 million people live in its vicinity and the area is intensively cultivated thanks to its rich, fertile soil.

So, while volcanoes cause great damage and destruction they also help with the long term replenishment of agricultural soils. This is essential for ensuring that the world’s rapidly expanding population is fed. By mimicking the slow process of the Earth’s own method for producing healthy soil, all natural volcanic soil amendments such as Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster can aid in the regeneration of soil and work to kick-start the biological processes required for optimal and sustainable plant growth—whether you are a commercial farmer, organic vintner or backyard gardener.

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Cascade Mineral Products believes that healthy soil equals healthy plants, happy people and a healing planet. Made of all-natural volcanic basalt from Central Oregon, our all-natural Cascade Minerals Remineralizing Soil Booster returns essential minerals to the soil for more vigorous plants that produce more nutritious food. Our product is OMRI Listed for organic production and is safe to use around pets and children when applied as directed.

The post Rich, Healthy Soil with Volcanic Soil Amendments appeared first on Cascade Minerals.