Each type of soil has variability in its properties. Color in soils comes from several sources. Dark blackish-brown soils are indicators of high organic matter in upper layers, while in deep, lower layers this is an indication of poor drainage. Bright reds and yellows indicate good drainage and the presence of oxides. If the parent material is a red lava rock, the soil could also have a red color.
Grey soils are indicators of permanent water saturation and no drainage.
These soils are commonly clays and fine silts, which are often stained by minerals and objects that wash down. This type of soil also holds large amounts of iron in the ferrous form. Soil texture is created from both the parent material and the climate under which it forms. Texture is determined by the size and amount of particles of which it is composed. The main three classifications of texture are sand, silt and clay.