Question

A geologist notices that a river is eroding its valley at a constant rate. Knowing the height of the valley walls, how could the geologist figure out when the river started carving the valley?
A.
Count growth rings of trees growing on the valley floor.
B.
Divide the height of the valley walls by the rate of erosion.
C.
Fill up the river valley with rocks, and time how long it takes the rocks to wash out.
D.
Sit and observe the river for a few hours until the valley walls double in height.

Answer 1

Answer:

B.

Divide the height of the valley walls by the rate of erosion.

Explanation:

There is a relationship between the rate of erosion and the hieght at which it is eroded according to Newton's law of motion. In the case of the scenario above, the best way to determine the time the river started carving the valley would be the division of the height of the valley walls by the rate of erosion.