A geologist wants to locate a horizontal coal bed on a soil-covered slope where soil creep is active. A distinctive sandstone bed underlies the coal bed. On the basis of weathered sandstone fragments in the soil, where is the coal bed?
A) just below the lowest piece of sandstone seen in the soil
B) just above the highest piece of sandstone seen in the soil
C) just below the highest piece of sandstone seen in the soil
D) just above the lowest piece of sandstone seen in the soil

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The coal bed is located just above the highest piece of sandstone seen in the soil because soil creep moves fragments downhill, so the highest fragments indicate the closest position to the source layer.

A Geologist Wants to Locate a Horizontal Coal Bed on a Soil-Covered