Relative Dating Practice

Look at the diagram, what layer did animal E first show up in?

• Layer #4

• Layer #5

• Layer #6

• Layer #8

What does the Law of Superposition help scientists determine?

• The temperature changes over geological time.
• The geographical distribution of species.
• The relative ages of rock layers and fossils.
• The chemical composition of minerals.

Which layer(s) support that the land was exposed to air?

• D, F, G

• A, D, F
• B, C, F
• A, B, F

What is the relative age of the rocks oldest to youngest?

• A, C, D, E, J, K
• G, L, N, O, P, Q
• X, Y, Z, W, V, U
• I, B, F, M, H, R

Which is the youngest rock layer?

• R
• M
• F
• I

What do scientists use to figure out the relative age of rocks and fossils?

• Law of Superposition

• Law of Absolute Dating

• Law of Geological Time Scale

• Law of Radiometric Dating

A geologist is studying a geologic cross section of rock layers in a national park. The rock layers appear to be well preserved and undisturbed.

Which statement best identifies the oldest rock layer in the cross section?

• The oldest rock layer is the one at the top of the cross section.
• The oldest rock layer is the one that is most weathered.
• The oldest rock layer is the one that contains the most fossils.
• The oldest rock layer is the one at the bottom of the cross section.

Which is the youngest layer?

• E
• C
• B
• A

The diagram shows a geologic cross-section from a region.

What are the relative ages of the rocks from oldest to youngest ?

• V, W, Z, X, Y
• Z, Y, W, V, X
• X, Y, Z, W, V
• W, V, Y, X, Z

This diagram represents the layers of the earth and fossils found in each layer. Based on the drawing, which imprint is the oldest?

• Freshwater clam shells

• Fish bones

• Fern imprints

• Leaf imprints