Which term describes an unconformity where underlying strata are tilted relative to overlying sediment layers?

An angular unconformity is characterized by a distinct relationship between the strata, where the underlying layers of rock are tilted or folded and then eroded before newer sedimentary layers are deposited on top. This phenomenon illustrates a significant change in geological conditions, indicating a period of tectonic activity or geological upheaval that caused the original sediment layers to be disturbed. When the newer layers are laid down horizontally atop these tilted layers, the result is a striking visual representation of the geological history, showcasing both the formation and the disruption of the rock layers.

The other concepts presented in the options serve different purposes within geology. The Law of Lateral Continuity refers to the principle that sedimentary layers are originally deposited in continuous sheets that extend outwards in all directions until they thin out or encounter a physical barrier, without implying any tilting or folding. An anticline is a type of fold in rock layers, where the layers bend upwards, which does not specifically relate to the relationship between underlying and overlying layers in the context of unconformities. Paleozoic, on the other hand, is a term that relates to a specific geological era, rather than describing a structural feature like an unconformity. Thus, the definition of angular unconformity aptly fits the