Relative Dating

How can cross-cutting relationships be used in relative dating?

• A rock or fault that cuts through other rocks is older than the rocks it cuts.

• A rock or fault that cuts through other rocks is the same age as the rocks it cuts.

• If a rock or fault cuts through other rocks, it must be younger than the rocks it cuts.

• Cross-cutting relationships cannot be used in relative dating.

What does relative dating of rock layers tell us about the depth of rocks?

• The deeper we dig, the older the rocks get.

• The deeper we dig, the younger the rocks get.

• The depth of rocks has no relation to their age.

• All rocks are the same age regardless of depth.

What is an unconformity in geology?

• A type of rock formation that is always visible.

• A gap in the geological record that represents a period of erosion or non-deposition.

• A layer of sediment that is always present in geological formations.

• A geological feature that indicates volcanic activity.

What is the Law of Superposition?

• In an undisturbed sequence of rocks, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.

• The principle that states all rocks are formed at the same time.

• A law that describes the movement of tectonic plates.

• The theory that sedimentary rocks are always older than igneous rocks.

What does the term 'strata' refer to in geology?

• Layers of sedimentary rock or soil.

• A type of volcanic rock.

• A geological time period.

• A method of dating fossils.

What is the difference between relative dating and absolute dating?

• Relative dating provides an exact age, while absolute dating places events in order.

• Relative dating places events in order without providing an exact age, while absolute dating gives a specific age.

• Relative dating and absolute dating are the same and provide exact ages.

• Relative dating is used for fossils, while absolute dating is used for rocks.

What is a key principle of relative dating?

• The principle of superposition states that in undisturbed layers, older rocks are on the bottom and younger rocks are on the top.

• The principle of original horizontality states that layers of sediment are originally deposited horizontally.

• The principle of cross-cutting relationships states that a geological feature that cuts another is younger than the feature it cuts.

• The principle of faunal succession states that sedimentary rock layers contain fossils in a definite and recognizable order.

What is the significance of fossils in relative dating?

• Fossils help to establish the relative ages of rock layers.

• Fossils are used to determine the exact age of rocks.

• Fossils indicate the presence of water in ancient environments.

• Fossils are primarily used for identifying minerals in rocks.

How do geologists use relative dating?

• Geologists place rocks in order from youngest to oldest.

• Geologists determine the exact age of rocks using radiometric dating.

• Geologists analyze the chemical composition of rocks to find their age.

• Geologists use fossils to identify the location of rocks.

What is relative dating used for?

• To determine whether an object is older or younger than other objects.

• To find the exact age of an object in years.

• To classify objects based on their physical characteristics.

• To determine the geographical location of an object.