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

Question

(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.