A soil auger is a tool used for drilling holes into the ground to collect soil samples or to create holes for planting. It typically consists of a helical screw blade attached to a long handle, allowing users to twist it into the soil. Soil augers come in various sizes and types, including hand-held and powered versions, making them suitable for different soil conditions and depths. These tools are essential in fields like agriculture, geology, and environmental science, where understanding soil composition is crucial. By extracting soil samples, researchers can analyze nutrient levels, moisture content, and other important factors that affect plant growth and land use.