Superposition and Relative Dating

The Law of Super Position

10/6/2020

Objective

• Students will describe the law of superposition

• Students will use the law of superposition to identify ages of sedimentary layers in a model

The law of superposition states:

• in horizontal sedimentary rock layers, the youngest rock layers sit atop older rock layers.

The Law of superposition...

Helps us determine the relative age of rock layers and the fossils in them based on where are located

This is called relative dating.

Using the Law of Superposition

we will identify the relative ages of rock.

What is the sequence of events?

Which layer is the oldest?

Fill in the Blanks

Which layer is the youngest?

Multiple Choice

From the previous slides which layer is the youngest?

• Layer A

• Layer B

• Layer C

What is happening at G ?

G is called an intrusion

Multiple Select

G happened before all the other rock layers were laid down

• True

• False

What happened first A or J?

Multiple Select

What happens first A or J?

• A

• J

What happened at H?

Faults are what causes horizontal rock layers to shift positions