College

You just hiked to the top of Mount Everest. Besides the frozen bodies along the way, you find limestone with coral fossils at the top. What does this indicate about the likely geologic history of the rock here? There may be more than one answer.

A. The limestone likely formed from an ancient beach that was lithified.

B. The limestone likely formed in deep, cold water.

C. The limestone likely formed in shallow, warm water.

D. The formations above the limestone were eroded away.

E. The spreading of a mid-ocean ridge raised the limestone in elevation.

F. The limestone likely formed from a cave setting.

G. The formations above the limestone are still in place.

H. The collision of two lithospheric plates raised the limestone in elevation.

Answer :

Final answer:

The limestone with coral fossils at the top of Mount Everest indicates that the area was once a shallow, warm marine environment, highlighting past climatic conditions. Additionally, the presence of these fossils and limestone suggests geological processes such as erosion and tectonic plate collision have raised the rock formation to its current elevation. These factors collectively tell a story of significant geological history for this region.


Explanation:

Geologic History Indicated by Coral Fossils

Finding limestone with coral fossils at the top of Mount Everest suggests significant geological activity and changes in the Earth's surface over time. Limestone is primarily formed from calcium carbonate derived from the remains of marine organisms, indicating that the area was once submerged under a shallow, warm ocean. This contributes to the understanding of the region's ancient climate and geographic conditions.

Interpretation of the Findings

  • The limestone likely formed in shallow, warm water: The presence of coral fossils indicates that the environment was once a thriving marine ecosystem.
  • The formations above the limestone were eroded away: This implies that over millions of years, other layers that once sat on top have been removed due to erosion.
  • The collision of 2 lithospheric plates raised the limestone in elevation: The Himalayas, including Mount Everest, were formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, highlighting how geological forces have transformed the region.

Learn more about Geological History here:

https://brainly.com/question/252733