What are the two primary natural forces that move soil?

The two primary natural forces that move soil are wind and water. Wind can erode soil and carry it over long distances through processes like deflation and suspension. This movement can result in the alteration of landscapes, formation of dunes, and redistribution of nutrients and soil particles.

Water, on the other hand, participates in soil movement primarily through erosion caused by rain, rivers, and streams. Rainwater can wash away soil, and flowing water can transport soil particles along with it. This process is vital for shaping terrains, creating riverbanks, and contributing to sediment deposition in various environments.

Both wind and water play essential roles in the natural cycle of soil movement, affecting agriculture, ecosystem health, and landscape morphology. In contrast, the other options mentioned—rain and ice, gravity and pressure, sunlight and heat—do not primarily function as forces of soil movement in the same way that wind and water do. While they may contribute to soil formation or affect soil properties, they lack the direct influence that wind and water exert in the transportation and erosion of soil.