Chapter 1: Problem 6
What kinds of features distinguish one geologic system from another?
Short Answer
Expert verified
Geologic systems are distinguished by features such as their age, rock types, fossils, and depositional environment. Age allows identification of historical events and relationships among systems, while rock types indicate Earth's processes that led to system development. Fossils reveal changes in Earth's ecosystems and biodiversity, and depositional environments signify the conditions in which sediments were deposited to form sedimentary rocks. These features offer insights into Earth's history and geologic system formation processes.