ASBOG Practice Exam

In a situation where bedding is horizontal, how is the V positioned relative to the contours of the topography?

1. Perpendicular

2. Parallel

3. Intersecting

4. At an angle

The correct answer is: Parallel

When bedding is horizontal, the geological layers are oriented in a flat, level manner, which means they do not slope or dip. In this situation, the V shape typically associated with river valleys or stream flow will be positioned parallel to the contours of the topography. This is because contour lines represent points of equal elevation on a topographic map, and if the bedding is horizontal, the same principles apply, meaning that the geological feature (the V) closely mimics the contour lines’ elevation levels. For example, in a landscape where a stream flows through a horizontal bedding plane, the valleys formed would also run parallel to the path of the horizontal layers, reinforcing the alignment. This relationship indicates that any changes in elevation or topography do not disrupt the horizontal bedding's layout, maintaining a consistent orientation between the geological layers and the landscape contours. Thus, being parallel signifies that the orientation of the V and the bedding remains aligned under these specific conditions.