If the lithology and fossil content of two bodies of rock on opposite sides of a canyon are identical,then these remaining outcrops were likely physically connected at one time and formed part of an extensive,sheet-like layer of rock.This idea summarizes the principle of:
A) superposition.
B) lateral continuity.
C) original horizontality.
D) uniformitarianism.

Question

If the lithology and fossil content of two bodies of rock on opposite sides of a canyon are identical,then these remaining outcrops were likely physically connected at one time and formed part of an extensive,sheet-like layer of rock.This idea summarizes the principle of: 
A) superposition. 
B) lateral continuity. 
C) original horizontality. 
D) uniformitarianism.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The principle of lateral continuity states that layers of sedimentary rock were originally continuous and later separated by erosion, so if two bodies of rock on opposite sides of a canyon have identical lithology and fossil content, then they were likely physically connected at one time and formed part of an extensive, sheet-like layer of rock that was later separated by erosion. Superposition refers to the ordering of rock layers with the oldest at the bottom and youngest at the top, original horizontality states that sedimentary rocks were originally deposited in horizontal layers, and uniformitarianism refers to the concept that geological processes observed today have operated in the same way throughout Earth's history. These principles are not applicable to the scenario described in the question.

If the Lithology and Fossil Content of Two Bodies of Rock