Question

A museum display shows limestone formations created by ancient marine organisms over millions of years. These organisms extracted calcium carbonate from seawater to build their shells and skeletons. What does this demonstrate about life's impact on Earth's geology?
Question 5 options:

Marine organisms only affected ocean chemistry, never solid geological formations

Only non-living chemical processes can form significant rock layers and geological structures

Living organisms have no significant impact on Earth's geological formations

Biological processes can create major geological formations through accumulated activity over time

Answer 1

Biological processes can create major geological formations through accumulated activity over time.

Explanation: the shells and skeletons of marine organisms (e.g., corals, foraminifera, coccolithophores) accumulate as sediment and lithify into limestone and other carbonate rocks over millions of years, showing life shapes Earth's geology.