Here's why:

* Rock Formation: Rocks are formed through various geological processes over millions of years, such as:

* Igneous rocks: Formed from the cooling and solidification of molten magma or lava.

* Sedimentary rocks: Formed from the accumulation and cementation of sediments (fragments of other rocks, minerals, or organic matter).

* Metamorphic rocks: Formed when existing rocks are transformed by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions.

* Soil Formation: Soil is formed from the weathering and breakdown of rocks over time. This process involves:

* Physical weathering: Breaking down rocks into smaller pieces by factors like temperature changes, frost wedging, and abrasion.

* Chemical weathering: Breaking down rocks through chemical reactions, such as oxidation and dissolution.

* Biological weathering: Breakdown of rocks by organisms like plants, animals, and microbes.

Therefore, rocks are the parent material from which soil is derived. Soil formation is a continuous process that occurs on top of existing rocks.