Relative Dating practice

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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.

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

Back

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

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What is an unconformity 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.

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What does the term 'strata' refer to?

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Strata refers to layers of sedimentary rock or soil with internally consistent characteristics that distinguish them from other layers.

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What is the significance of index fossils in relative dating?

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Index fossils are fossils of organisms that were widespread but only existed for a short period of time, helping to date the rock layers in which they are found.

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How can cross-cutting relationships help determine the relative age of rock layers?

Back

Cross-cutting relationships state that a rock or fault that cuts through other rocks is younger than the rocks it cuts through.

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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.

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What is a fault in geological terms?

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A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock, which can cause displacement.

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What is the difference between absolute dating and relative dating?

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Absolute dating determines the exact age of a rock or fossil, while relative dating places rocks and fossils in chronological order without exact dates.

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What is a geological time scale?

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A geological time scale is a system of chronological dating that relates geological strata to time, used by geologists and other Earth scientists.