in which situation is the principle of cross-cutting relationships useful in determining relative age?\na…
in which situation is the principle of cross-cutting relationships useful in determining relative age?\na fault breaks through sedimentary layers.\nfossils of two different species are found in different rock layers.\nsedimentary layers form over millions of years in a lake bottom.\nlava flows form on top of one another from several eruptions over time.
Answer
Brief Explanations:
The principle of cross - cutting relationships states that a geological feature (like a fault) that cuts through another rock or rock layer is younger than the rock or layer it cuts through.
- For the option "A fault breaks through sedimentary layers": A fault cutting through sedimentary layers means we can use the cross - cutting principle to determine that the fault is younger than the sedimentary layers, so this situation is useful for determining relative age.
- For "Fossils of two different species are found in different rock layers": This is related to the principle of fossil succession, not cross - cutting relationships.
- For "Sedimentary layers form over millions of years in a lake bottom": This is about the process of sedimentary layer formation, not cross - cutting.
- For "Lava flows form on top of one another from several eruptions over time": This is about the superposition of lava flows (similar to sedimentary layer superposition), not cross - cutting.
Answer:
A. A fault breaks through sedimentary layers.