Question

the greater the number of layers, or strata, that lie above a fossil, the _______.
fill in the blank.
○ more likely it is to be a transitional form
○ better preserved the fossil
○ younger the fossil
○ older the fossil

Explanation:

In geology (a subfield of Natural Science, specifically Earth Science), the principle of superposition states that in undisturbed sedimentary rock layers, the older layers are at the bottom and younger layers are deposited on top. So, a fossil in a lower layer (with more layers above it) is older because the layers above were deposited later. Let's analyze the options:

• "more likely it is to be a transitional form": The number of layers above doesn't relate to being a transitional form.
• "better preserved the fossil": The number of layers above isn't directly related to preservation quality.
• "younger the fossil": This is incorrect; more layers above mean the fossil is in an older, lower layer.
• "older the fossil": This matches the superposition principle—more layers above imply the fossil is in an older layer (as layers are deposited over time, so lower layers are older, and more layers above mean the fossil's layer is older relative to the top).

Answer:

D. older the fossil