Law of Superposition

Front

What is the Law of Superposition?

Back

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

Front

Which layer is the youngest according to the Law of Superposition?

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The youngest layer is the one that is at the top of the sequence.

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What does it mean if a layer is 'intruded'?

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An intruded layer is one that has been cut through by another layer, indicating that the intrusion occurred after the original layer was formed.

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What is a fault in geological terms?

Back

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

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How can you determine the relative age of rock layers?

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You can determine the relative age of rock layers by using the Law of Superposition, examining cross-cutting relationships, and identifying features like faults and intrusions.

Front

What is the significance of folding in rock layers?

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Folding indicates that the rock layers have been subjected to stress and have deformed, which can provide information about the geological history.

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What is deposition in geology?

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Deposition is the process by which sediments settle out of a transporting medium, such as water or air, and accumulate in layers.

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What is the difference between a fault and an intrusion?

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A fault is a break in the rock where movement has occurred, while an intrusion is a body of rock that has formed from magma that has cooled and solidified within other rock layers.

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What does it mean for layers to be 'undisturbed'?

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Undisturbed layers are those that have not been altered by geological processes such as folding, faulting, or erosion.

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How do geologists use the Law of Superposition in field studies?

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Geologists use the Law of Superposition to determine the relative ages of rock layers and to reconstruct the geological history of an area.