Relative Age Dating Practice

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What is Relative Age Dating?

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Relative Age 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 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, typically because it was widespread and existed for a short duration.

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Why are trilobites considered good index fossils?

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Trilobites are considered good index fossils because they were abundant, widespread geographically, and existed for a relatively short time period.

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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 an intrusion in geology?

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An intrusion is a body of igneous rock that forms when magma cools and solidifies within the crust of the Earth.

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What is the principle of cross-cutting relationships?

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

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What is an unconformity?

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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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How can you determine which rock layer is older?

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You can determine which rock layer is older by applying the principles of relative dating, such as the Law of Superposition and the principle of cross-cutting relationships.

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What is the significance of sedimentary rock layers?

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Sedimentary rock layers provide important information about the Earth's history, including past environments, climate changes, and the evolution of life.