Asked by hjbhbh
Where can you find old and new rock layers?
Old layers are on the left side, and new layers are on the right.
Old layers happen on top of new layers.
Old rock layers happen near the bottom. New layers are close to the top.
Old layers are in oceans. New layers are on land.
All Answers 1
Answered by
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Correct answer: "Old rock layers happen near the bottom. New layers are close to the top."
Why: In an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rocks the Law of Superposition applies — younger layers are deposited on top of older ones, so the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest at the top.
Notes/clarifications:
- "Left/right" is irrelevant — orientation in a picture doesn’t determine age.
- Layers can form in oceans or on land; there is no general rule that old = ocean and new = land.
- The order can be changed by geological processes (tilting, folding, faulting, overturning, erosion/unconformities), so geologists use other clues (fossils, cross-cutting relationships, radiometric dating) to sort out ages when sequences are disturbed.
Why: In an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rocks the Law of Superposition applies — younger layers are deposited on top of older ones, so the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest at the top.
Notes/clarifications:
- "Left/right" is irrelevant — orientation in a picture doesn’t determine age.
- Layers can form in oceans or on land; there is no general rule that old = ocean and new = land.
- The order can be changed by geological processes (tilting, folding, faulting, overturning, erosion/unconformities), so geologists use other clues (fossils, cross-cutting relationships, radiometric dating) to sort out ages when sequences are disturbed.
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