Question

What can you infer when you see a large outcrop of limestone?

a. A pluton once existed nearby.
b. The region was once covered by an ocean.
c. The region μst have been arid at the time of lithification.
d. A glacier or ice sheet once covered the surface in that region.

Answer 1

A large outcrop of limestone typically indicates that the region was once covered by an ocean, as limestone is formed from the accumulation of carbonate materials in marine environments.

Step-by-step explanation:

When you see a large outcrop of limestone, you can infer that the region was once covered by an ocean. This inference can be made because limestones are typically formed in marine environments where the accumulation of carbonate materials from organisms like corals and shellfish occurs. Over time, as these materials settle and compact, they form limestone.

Therefore, finding a large limestone outcrop indicates that the area was once submerged under water, potentially part of a shallow sea or ocean. This is opposed to indicating the presence of plutons, aridity at the time of lithification, or coverage by glaciers or ice sheets. The rock types seen in geological studies and outcrops give geologists insights into the past environmental conditions and the tectonic settings that were present during the formation of these rocks.