Relative Age of Rocks

Front

What is a fault?

Back

A break in the Earth's crust along which rocks move.

Front

What does relative age mean?

Back

The age of rock compared to the ages of other rocks.

Front

What is absolute age?

Back

The age of rock given the number of years since the rock formed.

Front

What is an unconformity?

Back

A gap in the geological record where rock layers are missing.

Front

What is an index fossil?

Back

A fossil that is used to define and identify a particular time period.

Front

How can you determine the relative age of rocks?

Back

By examining the layers of rock and their positions.

Front

What is the principle of superposition?

Back

In undisturbed rock layers, the oldest rocks are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.

Front

What is a sedimentary rock?

Back

A type of rock formed by the accumulation of sediments.

Front

What is a volcanic extrusion?

Back

Lava that has erupted onto the Earth's surface and solidified.

Front

What is the significance of fossils in determining relative age?

Back

Fossils help to identify the age of rock layers based on the organisms that lived during that time.