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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

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What does it mean when a fault is younger than the rock layers it cuts through?

Back

It means that the fault occurred after the formation of the rock layers, indicating that the rock layers are older than the fault.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

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What is an index fossil?

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An index fossil is a fossil that is used to define and identify a particular time period in the geological time scale, and is typically widespread and existed for a short duration.

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How can fossils help in relative dating?

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Fossils can indicate the relative ages of rock layers; certain fossils are characteristic of specific geological periods.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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What is the principle of superposition?

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

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What is an intrusion in geology?

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An intrusion is a body of igneous rock that has formed from magma that has cooled and solidified beneath the Earth's surface.

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How do geologists determine the relative ages of rock layers?

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Geologists use principles such as superposition, original horizontality, and cross-cutting relationships to determine the relative ages of rock layers.

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What is the significance of a fault in relative dating?

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A fault can indicate geological events that occurred after the formation of the rock layers it cuts through, helping to establish a timeline.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Front

What is the difference between a fault and an intrusion?

Back

A fault is a break in the Earth's crust where rocks have moved past each other, while an intrusion is a body of rock formed from magma that has cooled and solidified.

Front

What is the youngest rock layer in a sequence?

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The youngest rock layer is the one that is at the top of the sequence, as per the principle of superposition.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4