Free Printable The Age of Earth's Rocks

Worksheets

The Age of Earth's Rocks

Total questions: 19

Worksheet time: 41mins

Name

Class

Date

Geologists use this way to determine whether a rock is older or younger by comparing it to ages other rocks.

Superposition

Relative Dating

Fossil

Unconformity

Traces or remains of organisms that lived long ago

Fossil

Unconformity

Superposition

Column

What is the law of superposition?

The age of sedimentary rock not found in the original layers.

Metamorphic rock is younger than the nearby igneous rock.

Sedimentary rock in it's original position is older than layers above it.

Metamorphic rock is older because it was deposited to nearby sedimentary rock.

When determining the relative age of rocks, how do geologists explain the age of a fault?

The fault is younger than the rocks above it.

The fault is younger than the rocks it cuts through.

The fault is older than the rocks above it.

The fault is older than the rocks it cuts through.

Analyze the seashell found in the white layer. Which statement is true of the rock layer that contains this fossil?

It could also contain a fossil from the bottom layer.

It is older than the layers below it.

It is younger than the layers above it.

It is older than the layers above it.

What are the relative ages of the features in order from oldest to youngest?

Limestone, Basalt, Fault, Siltstone

Siltstone, Fault, Basalt, Limestone

Limestone, Fault, Basalt, Siltstone

Limestone, Siltstone, Fault, Basalt

Relative dating of rock layers tells us that the deeper we dig, _______.

the younger the rocks get

the smellier the rocks get

the harder the rocks get

the older the rocks get

The Law of Superposition helps scientists to determine what?

The absolute age of rock layers

The age of fossils

The relative age of rock layers

the super powers of rocks

The Geologic Time Scale is a record of what?

old geologists

sweet geology music

the known history of rocks and fossils

a list of every living thing ever

10.

According to the law of superposition, the oldest fossils are found

At the top of the rock layers

Near the bottom of the rock layers

In the middle of the rock layers

Somewhat near the surface

11.

_{Which rock layer in the diagram seems to be the oldest?}

12.

According to the law of superposition, which layer is the youngest?

13.

Gaps in rock layers caused by erosion are called

law of superposition

unconformities

uniformitarianism

relative dating

14.

Which of the following is the oldest?

Layer L

Intrusion D

Intrusion H

Layer E

15.

Which of the following correctly lists the layers in order from oldest to youngest?

A, B, C, D, E

E, B, C, D, A

E, D, C, B, A

C, B, A, D, E

16.

Which property of fossils allows scientists to determine the relative ages of rock layers?

Fossils form from the remains of living things

Fossils can be analyzed to determine their exact ages

Index fossils are widely distributed and existed for a short period of time.

Fossils are usually found in sedimentary rock

17.

How do scientists use fossils to determine the relative ages of rock layers?

by comparing all the fossils in one rock layer

by comparing fossils in many different rock layers

by determining the positions of fossils in many different rock layers

by locating other areas of the world where the same fossils are found

18.

How does sedimentary rock usually form?

Vertically

Diagonally

Folding

Horizontally

19.

What is the process that geologists use to identify the number of years that have passed since the rock has formed?

A. Relative age

B. Absolute age

C. Radioactive dating

D. Law of Superposition

Reset

The Age of Earth's Rocks

Total questions: 19

Worksheet time: 41mins

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