Earth Release

The are techniques that allow the user to manipulate their Earth chakra-nature, enabling them to use the surrounding ground or earth for offensive and defensive purposes. Earth Release techniques have the ability to change the hardness and composition of all objects. A person who masters this element can cause an object to be as solid as metal or soft as clay using these techniques.
The Earth Release style is common among the ninja of Iwagakure, in the Land of Earth. Earth Release techniques are commonly affiliated with the Snake hand seal.
An Earth Release is naturally strong against Water Release, but likewise, Earth Release is also naturally weak against Lightning Release. Earth Release also has a good relationship with Fire Release; used together, an Earth/Fire combo has quite the powerful explosive, offensive, destructive power. 
A strong fire jutsu can melt rock to form lava, a Advanced Nature Transformation can naturally be blend the earth-natured chakra with the fire creating Lava Release, unique to the Four-Tailed Monkey. It can also be blended with Water-natured chakra to produce Wood Release, unique to the First Hokage. Earth Release is also assumed to be a component in Petal Release.