A geologist wants to locate a horizontal coal bed on a soil- covered slope where soil creep is active. A distinctive sandstone bed underlies the coal bed. On the basis of weathered sandstone fragments in the soil, where is the coal bed?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The coal bed would be just above the highest piece of sandstone seen in the soil because soil creep causes materials to move downhill, so the highest point where the sandstone is found indicates the closest point to its original location, which is directly below the coal bed.

A Geologist Wants to Locate a Horizontal Coal Bed on a Soil-