Relative Dating

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What is Relative Dating?

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

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What does the Law of Superposition state?

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

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What is a fossil?

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A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of a once-living organism, often found in sedimentary rock.

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What is an intrusion in geology?

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An intrusion is a body of igneous rock that forms when magma cools and solidifies beneath the Earth's surface.

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How can fossils help in relative dating?

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Fossils can help in relative dating by providing evidence of the age of the rock layers in which they are found, as certain fossils are known to have existed during specific time periods.

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What is the significance of index fossils?

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Index fossils are fossils of organisms that were widespread but only existed for a short period of time, making them useful for dating and correlating the age of rock layers.

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What does it mean if a rock layer is younger than another?

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If a rock layer is younger than another, it means that it was formed after the other layer, according to the Law of Superposition.

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What is the difference between relative dating and absolute dating?

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Relative dating determines the order of events and the relative age of rocks, while absolute dating provides a specific age or date for a rock or fossil.

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What is a sedimentary rock?

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Sedimentary rock is a type of rock that forms from the accumulation and compaction of mineral and organic particles.

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What is the principle of original horizontality?

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The principle of original horizontality states that layers of sediment are originally deposited horizontally under the action of gravity.