Question

A geologist finds ripples preserved in ancient sedimentary rock that look just like ripples made by water in mud. He concludes that there was once water in that location that created the ripples. Why is this conclusion reasonable?

A.
because sedimentary rock always forms under water

B.
because water and mud behaved very differently in the past than they do today

C.
because sedimentary rock never forms from mud

D.
because water and mud behaved in a similar way in the past as they do today

Answer 1

D. because water and mud behaved in a similar way in the past as they do today

Step-by-step explanation:

One of the fundamental theories in the field of earth science is the theory of uniformitarianism.

Uniformitarianism was proposed by James Hutton in the 18th century in Scotland. The theory states that "geologic processes occurring today have occurred in times past and that the present is the key to past".

The simple meaning of the theory is that, the processes on earth today such as weathering, erosion, e.t.c have also occurred in times past. Those processes still occur today and an understanding of such events today will help us have a better insight into the past.

Therefore, ripple marks just as they form today from action of mud and water would be formed in a similar way in the past.