Final answer:
Inferring geologic history from the outcrop involves studying stratigraphy, fossil content and structural features present in rock layers, using methods like geochronology and geochemistry to understand the geologic past.
Step-by-step explanation:
Inferring geologic history from a New Mexico outcrop involves examining the stratigraphy, fossil content, and structural features present in the rock layers. Outcrops like those in the Guadalupe and Sacramento Mountains provide key information. Geologists utilize various techniques including geochronology and geochemistry to unravel the area's geologic past. Historical geologic events such as sediment deposition, tectonic activity, and climate changes are inferred from these studies.
The geologic history of an outcrop reveals the chronological order of the rock layers, their composition, and the processes that formed them. For instance, in New Mexico, the study of classic Upper Paleozoic reefs and bioherms provides insights into the marine environments of west Texas and New Mexico during that time. Clues like fossil assemblages and the types of sedimentary rocks can suggest past sea levels and climate conditions. Additionally, examining features such as folds, faults, and igneous intrusions can tell about the tectonic history of the region. Features such as cross-sections and sketches assist geologists in visualizing and reconstructing these past events.