scientists on a fossil expedition in the florida everglades excavated an area with four strata (layers)…

scientists on a fossil expedition in the florida everglades excavated an area with four strata (layers). they found vertebrate fossils in all four strata: 124 fossils in the miami limestone, 75 fossils in the undifferentiated sediments, 138 fossils in the tamiami formation, and 62 fossils in the hawthorn group. the scientists concluded that the hawthorn group contained the oldest fossils. is this a valid conclusion? yes. the hawthorn group must contain the oldest fossils because it is the lowermost layer of soil and rock excavated by the scientists. no. the tamiami formation must contain the oldest fossils because it contains the greatest number of vertebrate fossils discovered. yes. the hawthorn group must contain the oldest fossils because this layer has the smallest number of vertebrate fossils. yes. the hawthorn group must contain the oldest fossils because it is the uppermost layer, just beneath the water of the everglades. no. the miami limestone must contain the oldest fossils because it is the uppermost layer, just beneath the water of the everglades.

scientists on a fossil expedition in the florida everglades excavated an area with four strata (layers). they found vertebrate fossils in all four strata: 124 fossils in the miami limestone, 75 fossils in the undifferentiated sediments, 138 fossils in the tamiami formation, and 62 fossils in the hawthorn group. the scientists concluded that the hawthorn group contained the oldest fossils. is this a valid conclusion? yes. the hawthorn group must contain the oldest fossils because it is the lowermost layer of soil and rock excavated by the scientists. no. the tamiami formation must contain the oldest fossils because it contains the greatest number of vertebrate fossils discovered. yes. the hawthorn group must contain the oldest fossils because this layer has the smallest number of vertebrate fossils. yes. the hawthorn group must contain the oldest fossils because it is the uppermost layer, just beneath the water of the everglades. no. the miami limestone must contain the oldest fossils because it is the uppermost layer, just beneath the water of the everglades.

Answer

Brief Explanations:

In geology, generally the lower - most layer of rock and soil contains the oldest fossils. The Hawthorn Group is the lowermost layer among the four strata excavated. The number of fossils does not determine their age.

Answer:

Yes. The Hawthorn Group must contain the oldest fossils because it is the lowermost layer of soil and rock excavated by the scientists.