The marble rind surrounding the granite pluton must be younger than the limestone according to the principle of ____________.
A) superposition
B) baked contacts
C) original horizontality
D) original continuity

Question

The marble rind surrounding the granite pluton must be younger than the limestone according to the principle of ____________. 
A) superposition 
B) baked contacts 
C) original horizontality 
D) original continuity

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The principle of baked contacts states that if an igneous intrusion (such as a granite pluton) contacts a preexisting rock (such as limestone) and heats it up, the contact zone will be altered. In this case, the marble rind surrounding the granite pluton indicates that the limestone was heated and metamorphosed by the intrusion. Therefore, the marble rind must be younger than the original limestone.

The Marble Rind Surrounding the Granite Pluton Must Be Younger