The layer made up of unconsolidated rock, dust, soil, etc. that is deposited on a bed rock surface like a blanket is known as:
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. Regolith.
The layer made up of unconsolidated rock fragments, dust, soil, and other materials deposited over a bedrock surface like a blanket is known as Regolith. Regolith covers most of the Earth's land surface and includes various materials such as soil, broken rock, and dust. It forms through the processes of weathering and erosion acting on the underlying bedrock. This layer is crucial for supporting plant life and acts as a medium for many biological and geological processes. Unlike scree or talus, which are specific to loose rock debris on slopes, regolith is a more general and widespread surface layer.
Incorrect Options:
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Scree: Refers to loose rock fragments that accumulate at the base of cliffs or mountain slopes, typically due to weathering or rockfall—not a blanket layer.
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Protolith: This is the original rock (parent rock) that transforms into a metamorphic rock—not an unconsolidated surface layer.
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Talus: Similar to scree, it describes piles of angular rocks at the base of steep slopes, formed by physical weathering—not a widespread covering layer.