What Causes Large Cracks in the Ground

Large cracks form in soils that are high in clay. The clay particles act just like a sponge – they swell as they soak up water, and they shrink as they dry out. During a dry spell, the shrinkage can be so significant that large cracks can form.

What causes the ground to crack?

Dryness and Soil Type In most cases, cracking is caused by dryness as well as soil type. … When it rains, clay soil will absorb the water, thus allowing it to expand. During dry spells, on the other hand, clay soil will release water, causing to shrink. As the soil shrinks, small cracks may form.

Is cracking soil bad?

It can interrupt the growth of plants in your garden or grass in your lawn. Cracking soil can also lead to a loss of nutrients due to runoff of fertilizer (due to erosion). Since cracked soil also tends to be dry and compacted, it can be difficult to grow anything in such soil.