noun
red clay; red earth; laterite
Refers to reddish soil or clay, often iron-rich. Laterite is a specific tropical soil type.
この地域の赤土は陶芸に適している。
The red clay in this region is suitable for pottery.
雨の後、赤土の道はぬかるみやすい。
After rain, the red earth road gets muddy easily.
noun
dark-red paint
A dark-red pigment or paint, historically made from red earth. Less common than the soil meaning.
古い神社の柱には赤土の塗料が使われていた。
Dark-red paint made from red earth was used on the pillars of the old shrine.