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Which rock types would you expect to be deposited on top of limestone if sea level falls and then rises?

A. Mud followed by sand
B. Limestone followed by mud
C. Limestone followed by sand
D. Mud followed by limestone
E. Limestone followed by limestone

Answer :

Final answer:

When sea level falls and then rises, you can expect the deposition of mud followed by sand on top of limestone. Initially, mud settles as the environment is calmer, followed by sand as the rising sea brings in more energy and transports coarser materials. This reflects the fundamental processes of sedimentary rock formation in response to changing sea levels.


Explanation:

Introduction to Sedimentary Rock Deposits

When considering the geological processes that occur with changes in sea level, it is important to understand how different rock types are deposited. In a scenario where sea level falls and then rises, the environment changes in a way that influences what types of sediment are laid down.

Sequential Depositional Changes

Initially, when the sea level falls, we expose the seafloor, which may cause the deposition of mud as the sediment settles during lower energy conditions. As the sea level rises again, the environment becomes more conducive to sand deposition because the resurgence of water can transport coarser materials seaward. Therefore, the expected sequence of deposition on top of limestone would most likely be:

  1. mud followed by sand

This sequence illustrates a transition from a quieter, shallower marine environment during the falling stage to a more dynamic setting for coarser particles during the rising stage.


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