Explain why biogenic marine sediment has been found on the top of mountains. What will be an ideal response?
Sediments can build to impressive thickness on continental shelves. In some cases,
neritic sediments undergo lithification: they are converted into sedimentary rock by
pressure-induced compaction or by cementation. If these lithified sediments are thrust
above sea level by tectonic forces, they can form mountains or plateaus. The top of
Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, is a shallow-water biogenic marine
limestone (a calcareous rock). Much of the Colorado Plateau, with its many stacked
layers, was formed by sedimentary deposition and lithification beneath a shallow
continental sea beginning about 570 million years ago. The Colorado River has cut
and exposed the uplifted beds to form the Grand Canyon. Hikers walking from the
canyon rim down to the river pass through spectacular examples of continental-shelf
sedimentary deposits. Their journey takes them deep into an old ocean floor.
You might also like to view...
Many synthetic organic chemicals are concentrated in the fat of carnivores because
A) the chemicals are non-biodegradable or persistent and highly soluble in lipids. B) the chemicals are highly soluble in water. C) these animals eliminate toxins from the body by storing them in fat. D) fat is able to break down toxins more effectively than the liver.
What circumstance may inhibit further development of a hurricane by diminishing air's ability to rise?
A) trade wind inversion B) strong upper-level winds C) convergence at the surface D) unstable air
Where was moveable type originally innovated?
A) China B) Germany C) Egypt D) India E) Spain
Which of the following occur during an uncontrolled fission chain reaction?
A) A heavy nucleus is broken into smaller nuclei. B) More neutrons are produced than are consumed. C) both a and b D) neither a nor b