Geologic Time Quiz

Numeric dating is a dating method that

• places rocks in their proper sequence of formation without giving the number of years

• specifies the number of years that have passed since an event occurred

• gives the age of an event since the Big Bang

• none of the above

Relative dating is a dating method that

• places rocks in their proper sequence of formation without giving the number of years

• specifies the number of years that have passed since an event occurred

• gives the age of an event since the Big Bang

• none of the above

The law of superposition states that in a set of sedimentary beds that have not been disturbed since they were deposited, the bed at the bottom is

• younger than the bed at the top

• older than the bed at the top

• similar in age to the bed at the top

• incomparable to the bed at the top

The principle of original horizontality suggests that sedimentary beds are generally deposited in a

• flat and level position

• diagonal position

• vertical position

• random position

The principle of cross-cutting relationships states that a feature that cuts a sedimentary bed or other feature must be

• older than the bed or feature it cuts

• similar in age to the bed or feature it cuts

• younger than the bed or feature it cuts

• incomparable in age to the bed or feature it cuts

An unconformity represents

• beds that have been overturned

• beds of similar age

• an addition to the depositional record from outside the rock

• a gap in the depositional record due to erosion

An unconformity where tilted or folded sedimentary rocks are overlain by younger more flat lying beds is called

• an angular unconformity

• a disconformity

• a nonconformity

• a thrust fault

An unconformity where flat lying sedimentary rocks are overlain by another set of younger flat-lying sedimentary beds is called

• an angular unconformity

• a disconformity

• a nonconformity

• an overturned fold

A break that separates older metamorphic or intrusive igneous rocks from younger sedimentary strata is called

• an angular unconformity

• a disconformity

• a nonconformity

• a thrust fault

The practice of matching up rocks of similar age at one location with those at another location is called

• telegraphing

• pairing

• correlation

• indexing