Answer:
Principle of cross-cutting relationships
Explanation:
The geologic principle that will provide the most profound explanation to this problem is the principle of cross-cutting relationships.
It states that "features that cross-cuts rocks are younger than the layer they cut through".
Some of these features are intrusions, faults and joints.
The logic behind this reasoning is that without the rock in place, the cross-cutting event wouldn't have been recorded.
We can liken this to a fracture on the wall of a building. If the wall is not erected, there wouldn't be any fracture. Therefore, the fracture is far younger than the wall.
