The principles of lateral continuity and cross-cutting relationships are both about rock layers that have been separated. How are they different? The principle of lateral continuity is about rock layers that aren't covered by anything and the principle of cross-cutting relationships is about rock strata that are under a body of water. B The principle of lateral continuity is about rock layers that are coarser- grained and can be deposited at a slight smngle and the principle of cross-cutting relationships is about rock layers that are split by plan and trees. C The principle of lateral continuity is about rock layers that have fossils in them, and the principle of cross- cutting relationships is about rock layers that have been distorted by lava.

The principles of lateral continuity and cross-cutting relationships are fundamental concepts in geology, particularly in the study of sedimentary rock layers and their formation. Here’s a brief explanation of each principle and how they differ: 1. **Principle of Lateral Continuity**: This principle states that layers of sediment initially extend laterally in all directions; they are deposited in continuous sheets. If a layer is found to be interrupted or separated, it is assumed that the layer originally extended across the area before being eroded or otherwise disrupted. 2. **Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships**: This principle states that if a geological feature (such as a fault or an igneous intrusion) cuts through another feature, the feature that has been cut is older than the feature that is doing the cutting. This helps geologists determine the relative ages of rock layers and geological events. Now, looking at the options you provided: - **Option A**: Incorrect. The principle of lateral continuity is not specifically about rock layers being uncovered or under water; it refers to the continuity of layers in general. - **Option B**: Incorrect. The principle of lateral continuity does not pertain to grain size or specific angles of deposition, and cross-cutting relationships are not about splitting by plants or trees. - **Option C**: Incorrect. The principle of lateral continuity does not specifically relate to fossils, and while cross-cutting relationships can involve features like lava intrusions, they are not limited to that. In summary, none of the provided options accurately describe the differences between the principles of lateral continuity and cross-cutting relationships. The key difference is that lateral continuity deals with the original extent of sedimentary layers, while cross-cutting relationships deal with the relative ages of geological features based on their interactions.