Question 1

The marble rind surrounding the granite pluton must be younger than the limestone according to the principle of ____________.

Accepted Answer

This is the principle of baked contacts, which states that the rock that has been baked must be older than the rock that caused the baking. In this case, the granite pluton (the rock causing the baking) is younger than the limestone (the rock being baked). The marble rind (resulting from the baking process) surrounding the granite pluton must therefore also be younger than the limestone. The principles of superposition, original horizontality, and original continuity do not apply to this particular situation.

Question 2

Basaltic clasts within the basal layers of the conglomerate imply which of the following statements? (Choose the most correct answer.)

Accepted Answer

Basaltic clasts within the basal layers of the conglomerate imply that the basalt must be the older of the two, and that the section must not have been overturned by tectonic activity at any time.

Question 3

The oldest geologic unit in the cross section is the ____________.

Accepted Answer

The oldest geologic unit is typically at the bottom of a sequence due to the principle of superposition. In this case, limestone is often found beneath other sedimentary layers, indicating it is the oldest.

Question 4

James Hutton,the "father of geology," put forth the principle of ____________.

Accepted Answer

James Hutton is known for formulating the principle of uniformitarianism, which states that the same geologic processes that operate today also operated in the past at the same rate. This was a major shift from the prevailing belief in catastrophism, which held that Earth's history resulted from sudden, catastrophic events.

Question 5

Basaltic clasts within the conglomerate have been radiometrically dated to 50 million years ago (Eocene Epoch of the Tertiary Period).Is this a reliable age for the conglomerate?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Basaltic clasts within the conglomerate have been...

Question 6

In an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rocks,younger layers overlay older layers,according to the principle of ____________.

Accepted Answer

The principle of superposition states that in a sequence of undisturbed sedimentary rocks, the younger layers will overlay the older layers.

Question 7

Concerning the relative ages of the basalt and the fault,____________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Concerning the relative ages of the basalt...

Question 8

Which of the following geologic principles is a direct result of gravity?

Accepted Answer

Original horizontality refers to the principle that, in the absence of other forces, sedimentary rocks will be deposited horizontally due to the force of gravity.

Question 9

The surfaces named contacts #2 and #3 are examples of ____________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The surfaces named contacts #2 and #3...

Question 10

The basalt body is best described as a ____________.

Accepted Answer

A dike is a type of igneous intrusion that cuts across pre-existing rock layers, which is characteristic of how basalt bodies often form.

Question 11

Relative ages expressed on the geologic time scale primarily resulted from the study of ____________.

Accepted Answer

Relative ages are primarily determined by comparing the fossils found in sedimentary rocks from different periods of time and examining their spatial relationships. Igneous rocks can be used in correlation and to set bounds on the age of the surrounding sedimentary rocks, but radiometric dating is required for absolute ages. Therefore, options A, C, and D are not the best choice.

Question 12

The youngest geologic unit visible in the cross section is the ____________.

Accepted Answer

Based on the relative positions of the rock layers in the cross section, the conglomerate layer is the youngest as it is on top of the other layers and not cut by any other layers.

Question 13

Concerning relative ages of the granite and sandstone,____________.

Accepted Answer

The principle of superposition only states that in an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rocks, the oldest layer is at the bottom and the youngest layer is at the top. However, it does not provide any information about the relative ages of different types of rocks. Similarly, the principle of components states that a rock is older than any pebbles or fragments it contains, but it also does not help to determine the relative ages of granite and sandstone. Therefore, without additional information or context, their relative ages cannot be determined from the given information alone.

Question 14

If the lithology and fossil content of two bodies of rock on opposite sides of a canyon are identical,then these remaining outcrops were likely physically connected at one time and formed part of an extensive,sheet-like layer of rock.This idea summarizes the principle of ____________.

Accepted Answer

The principle of original continuity states that rock layers that are cut by a canyon or other erosional feature were originally continuous and connected. If two bodies of rock on opposite sides of a canyon have identical lithology and fossil content, it suggests that they were once part of the same continuous layer, supporting the principle of original continuity. Superposition refers to the idea that the oldest layers are on the bottom and the youngest on the top, original horizontality says that sedimentary rocks are deposited horizontally, and uniformitarianism refers to the idea that geological processes have been consistent throughout Earth's history. None of these principles directly apply to the scenario described in the question.

Question 15

Concerning relative ages of the shale and sandstone,____________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Concerning relative ages of the shale and...

Question 16

Contact #3 is both a ____________ at various points.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Contact #3 is both a ____________ at...

Question 17

Period names on the geologic time scale,such as Devonian and Permian,provide examples of ____________.

Accepted Answer

Period names on the geologic time scale are based on relative age, meaning they are determined by the order in which they occurred and the fossils found in each layer. The numeric ages of these periods have been determined through radiometric dating and other techniques, but the period names themselves are based on relative age.

Question 18

Which of the following geologic principles is NOT a result of gravity?

Accepted Answer

Cross-cutting relationships are based on the principle that the rock or feature that is cut must be older than the feature that cuts across it. This principle is not a direct result of gravity, but rather the result of a geological event (such as faulting or intrusion) that causes the cross-cutting feature. The other three principles - original horizontality, original continuity, and superposition - are all direct results of the force of gravity acting on sedimentary rocks.

Question 19

Contact #1 is an example of a(n)____________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Contact #1 is an example of a(n)____________.
...

Question 20

Which statement about contact #3 is correct?

Accepted Answer

Contact #3 is an unconformity that was once continuous with contact #2, but has since been faulted and brought closer together.

Quiz 10: Deep Time: How Old Is Old