Study Guide Page 5

The oldest layer is layer A because it is the deepest layer in the diagram. In geological processes, the layers of sedimentary rock are deposited over time, with the oldest layers being at the bottom. Therefore, layer A, being the deepest, would have been formed first, making it the oldest layer.

Layer D is the newest rock layer because it is on top of all the other layers. In the diagram, layers A, B, and C are all below layer D, indicating that they were formed before layer D. Therefore, layer D is the most recent addition to the rock layers.

Layer C and B may still be showing, but this is only because weathering wore the surface down to these layers. D is still the newest.

Layer D is the newest layer because it is located on top of all the other layers. The question states that weathering wore away most of the newest rock, indicating that the layers below layer D are older. Additionally, the plates were folded and compressed from a convergent plate boundary, suggesting that the layers were formed through tectonic activity over time. Therefore, layer D is the most recent layer to have been deposited.

The explanation for the correct answer, layer D, is that it is the newest layer because it is on top of the other layers. The faulting boundary caused layer D to be forced over the other layers, indicating that it is the most recent layer to have been deposited.

The newest rock layer has been faulted to the side instead of staying on the top layer.