Which of the following geologic situations is most likely to contain significant oil concentrations?
A)1.1-billion-year-old rocks that accumulated in the vicinity of a divergent plate boundary
B)200-million-year-old rocks that have been exposed by uplift in a subduction zone
C)300-million-year-old rocks that accumulated in a subsiding sedimentary basin
D)150-million-year-old rocks that are flat lying and unfaulted

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Oil is typically formed in sedimentary basins where organic matter accumulates and is then buried and subjected to high pressure and temperature over long periods of time. Therefore, the 300-million-year-old rocks that accumulated in a subsiding sedimentary basin are the most likely to contain significant oil concentrations.

Which of the Following Geologic Situations Is Most Likely to Contain