Relative Dating

Used to determine whether an object is older or younger than other objects

• Absolute Dating

• Relative Dating

Principle that states that older rocks are on the bottom, and younger rocks are on the top.

• Law of crosscutting

• Law of superposition

• Relative Dating

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

An ordered arrangement of rock layers that is based on the relative ages of the rocks

• Superposition

• Unconformity

• Layered

• Strata Column

What is the law of superposition?

• The age of sedimentary rock not found in the original layers.
• Metamorphic rock is younger than the nearby igneous rock.
• Sedimentary rock in it's original position is older than layers above it.
• Metamorphic rock is older because it was deposited to nearby sedimentary rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

How does the law of crosscutting explain the age of a fault?

• The fault is younger than the rocks above it.
• The fault is younger than the rocks it cuts through.
• The fault is older than the rocks above it.
• The fault is older than the rocks it cuts through.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

How do geologists use relative dating?

• Placing rocks in order from youngest to oldest
• Placing rocks in order by minerals they contain
• Classifying rocks by different textures
• Classifying rocks by different isotopes

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What are the relative ages of the features in order from oldest to youngest?

• Limestone, Basalt, Fault, Siltstone

• Siltstone, Fault, Basalt, Limestone

• Limestone, Fault, Basalt, Siltstone

• Limestone, Siltstone, Fault, Basalt

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Relative dating of rock layers tells us that the deeper we dig, _______.

• the younger the rocks get
• the smellier the rocks get
• the harder the rocks get
• the older the rocks get

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

According to the law of superposition, the oldest fossils are found 

• At the top of the rock layers
• Near the bottom of the rock layers
• In the middle of the rock layers
• Somewhat near the surface

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

_{Which rock layer in the diagram seems to be the oldest?}

• F

• E

• B

• A

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4