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The diagram below shows a stack of rock layers. These layers have not changed position since they formed. Examine the diagram and answer the question that follows. If the age of Layer 4 is 400 million years and the age of Layer 1 is 500 million years, then the age of Layer 3 is A. older than 500 million years. B. between 400 million and 500 million years. C. 500 million years. D. younger than 400 million years.

2 Answers

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Answer: Answer is B, Younger than 400 million years

Step-by-step explanation:

The age of rock layers in a stack reflects the order in which they were deposited—the lower layers were laid down first, and then the upper layers were laid on top of them. So, the lower layers and fossils they contain are older than the upper layers and fossils. This is known as the principle of superposition.

In this example, Layer 1 was deposited first, then Layer 2, Layer 3, Layer 4, and Layer 5. Layer 1 is the oldest, and the layers get younger as you move up through the stack.

If the age of a particular layer is known, then the relative age of other layers can be determined. In this example, Layer 4 is 400 million years old. This means that the layer above it is younger than 400 million years and the layers below it are older than 400 million years. Layer 1 is 500 million years old. This means that layers above it are younger than 500 million years.

Layer 5 is above Layer 4, so it must be younger than 400 million years.

User Steven Koch
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7 votes

Answer:

B. between 400 million and 500 million years

Step-by-step explanation:

Process of elimination

User Eric Steen
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5.3k points