Relative Geological Dating

Relative Dating

Law of Superposition

• The oldest rocks are on the bottom

• The newest rocks are on the top

Law of Lateral Continuity

• States that layers of sediment initially extend laterally in all directions

• Layers may have be separated by a valley or other erosion feature but can be assumed to be originally continuous

Law of Original Horizontality

• Sediments were deposited in horizontal, or flat, layers

Law of Cross-Cutting 

• Geologic feature which cuts another is the younger of the other features

Multiple Choice

Intrusion D is younger than layers B, C, and E according to

• Law of superposition

• Law of cross-cutting relationships

• Original horizontality