The student places an old, broken shell in layer Y and a younger shell in layer X. Is the student’s process correct?

Question

Yes, younger layers are deposited over older layers.
No, older layers are always on top of younger layers.
No, coarse-grain sediments are younger than fine-grain sediments.
Yes, light-colored sediments are younger than dark-colored sediments

Answer 1

The correct answer is: Yes, younger layers are deposited over older layers.

This principle is part of the Law of Superposition in geology, which states that in an undisturbed sequence of rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the younger layers are on top. Thus, placing an old, broken shell in the lower layer (Y) and a younger shell in the upper layer (X) aligns with this principle.