Final answer:
A geological disturbance can disrupt rock layering, leading to a loss of original horizontality. Marine fossils on land indicate past sea coverage. The fossil record and geological processes, such as plate tectonics, provide insights into Earth's history and the formation of various landscapes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Geological Disturbances and Fossil Evidence
1. A change to one or more rock layers that breaks up or disturbs the original horizontality is known as a geological disturbance. This can be caused by events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or erosion, which can disrupt the layering of sedimentary rocks.
2. Finding a fossil of a marine organism embedded in rock is evidence that the location was once underwater, possibly part of an ancient ocean or sea. This supports the idea that Earth's geography has changed significantly over time and what may now be dry land could once have been submerged beneath the sea.
3. Earth's fossil record provides excellent clues about past climates and the kinds of organisms that have inhabited the planet during different time periods. Studying fossils helps us understand evolutionary changes and ecological shifts that occurred through Earth's history.
4. By studying the geological processes that formed them, we can understand the mountain ranges and volcanic islands visible on Earth today. This includes learning about plate tectonics, volcanic activity, and sedimentation, which have all contributed to the Earth's topography.