The Age of Earth Unit Test
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Question
Use this sentence: A fault cuts across several layers of rock.
Which conclusion can be made?
(1 point)
Responses
The fault is older than the layers of rock based on the law of inclusion.
The fault is older than the layers of rock based on the law of inclusion.
The fault is older than the layers of rock based on the law of crosscutting.
The fault is older than the layers of rock based on the law of crosscutting.
The fault is younger than the layers of rock based on the law of crosscutting.
The fault is younger than the layers of rock based on the law of crosscutting.
The fault is younger than the layers of rock based on the law of inclusion.
The fault is younger than the layers of rock based on the law of crosscutting.
The correct conclusion that can be made is:
"The fault is younger than the layers of rock based on the law of crosscutting."
To answer this question, we need to understand the principles of relative dating. Relative dating is a method used to determine the age of rocks and geological events by comparing them to surrounding rocks and events. There are several principles or laws used in relative dating, including the law of inclusion and the law of crosscutting.
The law of inclusion states that any rock or mineral fragment found within another rock must be older than the rock in which it is included. This is because the rock containing the inclusion must have already existed before the inclusion was added.
The law of crosscutting states that any geological feature that cuts across another feature must be younger than the feature it cuts across. In this case, if a fault cuts across several layers of rock, the fault is the younger feature, as it disrupted or cut through the pre-existing rock layers.
Based on this information, we can conclude that the fault is younger than the layers of rock based on the law of crosscutting. Therefore, the correct response is:
"The fault is younger than the layers of rock based on the law of crosscutting."