High temperatures and heavy rainfall are necessary to accelerate the process of lateralization, which is a sort of strong chemical weathering. The iron and aluminum-rich soil known as laterite is primarily found in hot, humid tropical climates. Its high iron oxide content gives it its distinctive rusty-red coloring. Lateralization is the process by which the parent rock beneath it undergoes extensive and protracted chemical weathering, leading to the development of laterite. The more resistant iron and aluminum complexes are left behind. At the same time, soluble minerals like silica are leached by the combination of high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and alternating wet and dry periods.