Well, I would distinguish between earth with a small "e" and Earth with a capital "E". Toa of Earth control small "e" earth as in soil. I don't think they can manipulate capital "E" Earth as in planetary crust. there is no difference, Earth is earth, and earth is Earth. the planet is made of the material, "earth" is anything that makes up the matrial foundation of "Earth" including rocks. (but not trees, plants, etc.) ...I'm not seeing it. You're lumping together two different things. Capital "e" Earth =/= small "e" earth. Small "e" earth--at least as far as BIONICLE is concerned--is just soil. That's it. On the other hand, "Earth" is the planetary body, made up of far more than just soil. A Toa of Earth can control dirt and soil, and even do so on a large scale, but they cannot actually influence the crust itself (which is made of rock).