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WorksheetsRelative Dating
Total questions: 25
Worksheet time: 41mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Used to determine whether an object is older or younger than other objects
a)
Superposition
b)
Relative Dating
c)
Fossil
d)
Unconformity
2.
States that younger rocks lie above older rocks if the layers have not been disturbed
a)
Law of crosscutting
b)
Law of superposition
c)
Relative Dating
d)
Unconformity
3.
A break in the geologic record that is made when rock layers are eroded over a long period of time
a)
Law of Superposition
b)
Law of Crosscutting
c)
Relative Dating
d)
Unconformity
4.
Traces or remains of organisms that lived long ago
a)
Fossil
b)
Unconformity
c)
Superposition
d)
Column
5.
An ordered arrangement of rock layers that is based on the relative ages of the rocks
a)
Superposition
b)
Unconformity
c)
Layered
d)
Geologic Column
6.
What is the law of superposition?
a)
The age of sedimentary rock not found in the original layers.
b)
Metamorphic rock is younger than the nearby igneous rock.
c)
Sedimentary rock in it's original position is older than layers above it.
d)
Metamorphic rock is older because it was deposited to nearby sedimentary rock.
7.
How does the law of crosscutting explain the age of a fault?
a)
The fault is younger than the rocks above it.
b)
The fault is younger than the rocks it cuts through.
c)
The fault is older than the rocks above it.
d)
The fault is older than the rocks it cuts through.
8.
Analyze the seashell found in the white layer. Which statement is true of the rock layer that contains this fossil?
a)
It could also contain a fossil from the bottom layer.
b)
It is older than the layers below it.
c)
It is younger than the layers above it.
d)
It is older than the layers above it.
9.
How do geologists use relative dating?
a)
Placing rocks in order from youngest to oldest
b)
Placing rocks in order by minerals they contain
c)
Classifying rocks by different textures
d)
Classifying rocks by different isotopes
10.
What are the relative ages of the features in order from oldest to youngest?
a)
Limestone, Basalt, Fault, Siltstone
b)
Siltstone, Fault, Basalt, Limestone
c)
Limestone, Fault, Basalt, Siltstone
d)
Limestone, Siltstone, Fault, Basalt
11.
Relative dating of rock layers tells us that the deeper we dig, _______.
a)
the younger the rocks get
b)
the smellier the rocks get
c)
the harder the rocks get
d)
the older the rocks get
12.
The Law of Superposition helps scientists to determine what?
a)
The absolute age of rock layers
b)
The age of fossils
c)
The relative age of rock layers
d)
the super powers of rocks
13.
The Geologic Time Scale is a record of what?
a)
old geologists
b)
sweet geology music
c)
the known history of rocks and fossils
d)
a list of every living thing ever
14.
According to the law of superposition, the oldest fossils are found
a)
At the top of the rock layers
b)
Near the bottom of the rock layers
c)
In the middle of the rock layers
d)
Somewhat near the surface
15.
Which rock layer in the diagram seems to be the oldest?
a)
F
b)
E
c)
B
d)
A
16.
According to the law of superposition, which layer is the youngest?
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
17.
Gaps in rock layers caused by erosion are called
a)
law of superposition
b)
unconformities
c)
uniformitarianism
d)
relative dating
18.
Which of the following is the oldest?
a)
Layer L
b)
Intrusion D
c)
Intrusion H
d)
Layer E
19.
Which of the following correctly lists the layers in order from oldest to youngest?
a)
A, B, C, D, E
b)
E, B, C, D, A
c)
E, D, C, B, A
d)
C, B, A, D, E
20.
Which property of fossils allows scientists to determine the relative ages of rock layers?
a)
Fossils form from the remains of living things
b)
Fossils can be analyzed to determine their exact ages
c)
Fossils show change over time as species evolve
d)
Fossils are usually found in sedimentary rock
21.
How do scientists use fossils to determine the relative ages of rock layers?
a)
by comparing all the fossils in one rock layer
b)
by comparing fossils in many different rock layers
c)
by determining the positions of fossils in many different rock layers
d)
by locating other areas of the world where the same fossils are found
22.
Placing rock layers from two different regions in order from youngest to oldest is an example of what?
a)
geologic column
b)
geologic record
c)
fossil record
d)
topographic map
23.
How does sedimentary rock usually form?
a)
Vertically
b)
Diagonally
c)
Folding
d)
Horizontally
24.
What states that a fault or a body of rocks must be younger than any feature or layer of rock that the fault or rock body cuts through?
a)
Unconformity
b)
Intrusion
c)
Law of superposition
d)
Law of crosscutting
25.
What can be used to determine the relative ages of rock layers?
a)
Living animals
b)
Living plants
c)
Minerals
d)
Fossils
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