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In undisturbed rock layers, the principle of superposition states that the youngest rock layers are on top and the oldest are at the bottom. This means that the rock layer closest to the surface is the youngest, while the layer at the bottom is the oldest. Additionally, the principle of cross-cutting relationships helps determine relative ages by looking at how faults and intrusions cut across rock layers.
The shale layer is the youngest in the series. In undisturbed rock layers, the Law of Superposition states that the youngest layer is on top and the oldest is at the bottom. So, in this case, the limestone would be the oldest layer, followed by sandstone, and then shale.
The youngest layer of sedimentary rock is typically found at the top of a sedimentary rock sequence, as it is the most recently deposited layer. This layer is usually exposed on the Earth's surface, such as in river valleys or coastal areas, where erosion may have removed older layers above it.
If erosion wore away the youngest rock layer, the older rock layers beneath it would be exposed. This would result in a stratigraphic sequence where the older rocks are now at the surface, providing a snapshot of the geologic history of that area in reverse chronological order.
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