RELATIVE DATING

Front

What is Relative Dating?

Back

Relative Dating is a method used to determine the age of rocks and fossils by comparing them to other rocks and fossils.

Front

What does the Law of Superposition state?

Back

In an undisturbed sequence of rocks, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest layers are at the top.

Front

What is a fossil?

Back

A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an organism that lived in the past.

Front

Which part of an organism is most likely to become a fossil?

Back

Bones are the most likely part of an organism to become a fossil.

Front

What is an intrusion in geology?

Back

An intrusion is a body of igneous rock that forms when magma cools and solidifies within pre-existing rock layers.

Front

What is a fault?

Back

A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures in rock along which movement has occurred.

Front

What is folding in geology?

Back

Folding is the bending of rock layers due to tectonic forces.

Front

What is an unconformity?

Back

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

Front

How can scientists determine the relative ages of rocks?

Back

Scientists use principles such as superposition, original horizontality, and cross-cutting relationships.

Front

What is the significance of index fossils?

Back

Index fossils are used to identify and date the rock layers in which they are found, as they were widespread but only existed for a short period.