What type of geological structure is characterized by a round elevation of rock layers?

The correct answer identifies a dome as a geological structure characterized by a round elevation of rock layers. Domes form when there is an upward force, causing the earth's crust to bulge and push the rock layers upwards in a circular or oval shape. This type of structure typically consists of older rock layers that have been uplifted, with younger layers surrounding them. The result is a convex-shaped geological feature where the layers dip away from the central point.

In contrast, a basin is a structure that involves a downwards depression of rock layers, unlike the uplift seen in a dome. A syncline consists of rock layers that are bent downward, creating a trough-like formation, not an elevated structure. Lastly, a fault is a fracture in the Earth’s crust where blocks of rock have moved relative to each other, which does not directly create a rounded elevation.