Paraconformity is defined as?

• A. An unconformity with evidence of erosion
• B. An unconformity created by volcanic ash
• C. An unconformity for which there is no evidence but some geologists think should exist
• D. A continuous deposition surface

Answer: (C)

Paraconformity is an unconformity where the rocks on either side of the boundary are parallel and there is no obvious erosional or nondepositional surface. The gap in time between the two sequences isn’t visible in the rock record, so the hiatus is inferred rather than observed. Fossils or dating show that a span of time is missing, even though the boundary looks like a smooth, continuous deposition surface. That’s why this description fits best: there’s no visible evidence of the break, yet geologists infer a hiatus existed.