Relative Dating

Front

What is Relative Dating?

Back

Relative dating is a method used to determine the age of rocks and fossils in relation to one another, without determining their exact age.

Front

What principle states that in undisturbed layers of rock, the oldest layers are at the bottom?

Back

The Law of Superposition states that in undisturbed layers of rock, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.

Front

What is an index fossil?

Back

An index fossil is a fossil that is used to define and identify a particular time period in the geological time scale. It must be widespread, abundant, and only exist for a short period.

Front

Which layer is older: Intrusion M or Layer D?

Back

Layer D is older than Intrusion M.

Front

Which layer is older: Layer M or Intrusion P?

Back

Layer M is older than Intrusion P.

Front

What is a fossil?

Back

A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of organisms that lived long ago.

Front

What does the term 'unconformity' refer to in geology?

Back

An unconformity is a surface that represents a gap in the geological record, where rock layers have been eroded or not deposited for a period of time.

Front

What is the significance of finding many fossils of the same organism in rock layers?

Back

Finding many fossils of the same organism in rock layers indicates that the organism was widespread and existed for a significant period, making it useful for dating those layers.

Front

What does it mean if a fossil is found only in one area?

Back

If a fossil is found only in one area, it may not be useful as an index fossil because it does not meet the criteria of being widespread.

Front

What is the principle of cross-cutting relationships?

Back

The principle of cross-cutting relationships states that if a geological feature cuts through another, the feature that has been cut is older.