The principles of stratigraphy are often used to determine the relative ages of fossils.Which statement is an important assumption of this method?

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The principle of stratigraphy relies on the assumption that sedimentary rock layers (strata) are laid down in sequence, and therefore, the layers at the bottom are older than those at the top. For this method to accurately determine the relative ages of fossils, it's crucial that the layers have remained undisturbed since their formation. Disturbances such as folding, faulting, or mixing of layers would complicate or invalidate the age determinations based on their stratigraphic position.

The Principles of Stratigraphy Are Often Used to Determine the Relative