Identifying the type of rock in an outcropping and seeing how it has deformed can help to determine the history of the surrounding area. There are three basic types of rock: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Igneous rocks, such as granite, are directly formed from cooling magma. Sedimentary rocks, such as shale or limestone, are formed by layer upon layer of loose sediment, either from small bits of other inorganic rocks or the remains of living organic creatures, being deposited upon one another. Over time these sediments are turned to stone. Shales are formed by inorganic sedimentation, and limestones are comprised of organic materials.

Metamorphic rocks, such as gneiss, slate, or marble, are any type of rock that has undergone extreme heat and pressure and has been transformed into a new type of rock. Gneiss can be formed from granite, slate is formed from shale, and marble is the metamorphic result of heat and pressure being applied to limestone. The outcropping that we are looking at is comprised of marble. Knowing what we know about the principles of geography, go through the statements below and put the events in chronological order from oldest to youngest.

a. Pressure and temperature transform limestone into marble
b. Formation of limestone in a shallow ocean
c. Folding of rock
d. Faulting of rock
e. Erosion at the top of the outcrop where plants are growing