Siltstone or mudstone containing marine fossils likely formed in a _________ environment.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Siltstone or mudstone containing marine fossils indicates that the sediment was deposited in a marine environment. The presence of marine fossils suggests that the environment was likely shallow, as many marine organisms require sunlight to survive and are found in shallower waters. Option B (deep-marine) is less likely because deep-marine environments typically contain finer-grained sediment such as shale, rather than siltstone or mudstone. Option C (lacustrine) refers to a lake environment, which is not consistent with the presence of marine fossils. Option D (coastal-beach) may contain marine fossils, but the sediment would likely be sandstone rather than siltstone or mudstone.

Siltstone or Mudstone Containing Marine Fossils Likely Formed in a _________