What type of soil is on the moon?

Answer 1

The rocks that were collected from the moon have been studied extensively for their mineral composition. Examination of "moon soil" samples (called regolith) have revealed some strikingly similarities to earth's geology.

Rocks made of basalt from volcanic eruptions and minerals, such as plagioclase feldspar and olivine, are exactly the kinds of rocks we find here on earth.

In striking contrast to the true soils that we have here on earth, there are no organic materials in moon dust. Organic materials come from the breakdown of living things, such as trees and animals. Since there's nothing living on the moon, the soil is not a true soil like we're used to here. It's gray with very fine grained particles like sand or even dust and extremely dry because there is no water on the moon. (Although scientists have theorized that there is water ice trapped in the polar regions of the moon).

Because the moon has no atmosphere to protect it from solar wind, molecules (like hydrogen, helium, neon, carbon and nitrogen) from the sun impact the moon's surface directly and are implanted into mineral grains. Scientists estimate that about 50% of the moon's surface composition is oxygen, bound up in silicate minerals!

Answer 2

The moon's soil, or regolith, is composed of fine dust, rock fragments, and minerals. It is formed by the constant impact of meteoroids onto the lunar surface. The regolith also contains small amounts of water and organic compounds.