Question

Use the drawing to answer the question. A geologist examining a road cut at this location would recognize that Layer I is _____________

(1 point)
Responses

older than Fault H because of the principle of original horizontality.
older than Fault H because of the principle of original horizontality.

older than Fault H because of the principle of cross-cutting relationships.
older than Fault H because of the principle of cross-cutting relationships.

younger than Fault H because of the principle of superposition.
younger than Fault H because of the principle of superposition.

younger than Fault H because of the principle of relative dating.

Answer 1

To correctly answer the question regarding Layer I in relation to Fault H, we need to apply geological principles.

1. **Principle of Original Horizontality** states that layers of sediment are originally deposited horizontally. This principle alone does not specify the relationship between Layer I and Fault H.

2. **Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships** states that a geological feature (like a fault) that cuts through another feature (like a layer of rock) is younger than the feature it cuts. If Fault H cuts through Layer I, then Layer I must be older than Fault H.

3. **Principle of Superposition** applies to sedimentary layers and indicates that in a sequence of undisturbed sedimentary rocks, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top. This principle doesn’t apply directly to the relationship with Fault H unless more context is given about the layers above or below.

4. **Relative Dating** refers to methods of determining the age of a rock or layer compared to others, but it's not a specific principle that defines the relationship between Layer I and Fault H.

Given the phrasing of the options, the correct response based on the provided information would be:

**older than Fault H because of the principle of cross-cutting relationships.**