What is the term for soil and loose fragments that may cover the bedrock?

The term that refers to soil and loose fragments covering the bedrock is "regolith." Regolith encompasses a variety of materials, including weathered rock, soil, and any other loose particles that lie above the bedrock itself. This layer can vary significantly in depth and composition depending on factors such as geological processes, climate, and vegetation.

In geological contexts, regolith is important because it plays a significant role in soil formation, influencing how water drains, how plants grow, and how geological processes like erosion occur. Recognizing regolith is crucial in mining, as it can impact excavation methods and the types of materials that can be accessed.

Bedrock refers specifically to the solid rock that lies beneath the regolith and soil, while clay is a type of soil particle that can be found within regolith but does not represent the entire layer itself. Soil is a component of regolith, but it does not include the loose fragments of rock that might also be present. This distinction is what makes "regolith" the correct term for the question asked.