Question

The cross bedding in a preserved layer of sandstone dips (tilts downward) to the East. What can be inferred about the wind direction at the time of deposition?

A. From North to South
B. From South to North
C. From East to West
D. From West to East

Answer 1

The direction of wind during the time of deposition for the cross-bedded sandstone dipping East was from West to East.

Step-by-step explanation:

The presence of cross-bedding in a layer of sandstone that dips to the East suggests that the sediment was deposited by a flow or wind coming from the opposite direction. Since cross-bedding is characterized by the steeper side of ripples or dunes sloping down in the direction of the flow of water or wind, the wind responsible for depositing the sediment would have been moving from West to East.

Therefore, the correct inference about the wind direction during the deposition of this sandstone is from West to East. The direction of the wind at the time of deposition can be inferred from the dip direction of the cross-bedding in the preserved layer of sandstone. Since the cross-bedding in the sandstone dips (tilts downward) to the East, it can be concluded that the wind was blowing from the West to the East during the time of deposition.