Question

if you were studying a series of sedimentary rock layers and found them to be significantly tilted, which of the following conclusions would be most supported by principles of relative dating?
a the rocks had originally formed in a tilted lakebed.
b some tectonic process had shifted the rocks after they had formed, causing them to tilt.
c the rocks slowly flowed down an incline, causing them to appear tilted.

Explanation:

Relative dating principles (like original horizontality) state sedimentary rocks form horizontally first. Tilted layers imply post-formation tectonic activity shifted them. Option a is wrong (sedimentary rocks don’t form tilted). Option c is incorrect (rocks don’t "flow" down inclines to tilt).

Answer:

b. Some tectonic process had shifted the rocks after they had formed, causing them to tilt.