Absolute and Relative Dating Vocabulary

Question 1

The idea that forces working on our planet today worked on our planet in the past in the same manner

Answer 1

Uniformitarianism

Question 2

Determination of the age of a rock or event in relation to other rocks or events

Answer 2

Relative Dating

Question 3

Idea that the bottom layer is the oldest and each overlying layer gets progressively younger

Answer 3

Principle of Superposition

Question 4

Idea that sedimentary and igneous rocks are deposited in parallel layers to Earth’s surface

Answer 4

Original Horizontality

Question 5

Molten rock flows onto the surface

Answer 5

Extrusions

Question 6

When molten rock squeezes into preexisting rock layers

Answer 6

Intrusions

Question 7

Temperature induces change of preexisting rocks along an intrusion

Answer 7

Contact Metamorphism

Question 8

A crack in the berck where movement has occurred

Answer 8

Faults

Question 9

When thrusting rock layers cause preexisting rock layers to overturn

Answer 9

Folds

Question 10

The process of showing that rocks or geologic events from different places are the same or similar age. It is the most effective method when using relative dating

Answer 10

Correlation

Question 11

Remains or evidence of former living things

Answer 11

Fossils

Question 12

Fossils used to define and identify geological periods

Answer 12

Index Fossils

Question 13

Deposits spread over large areas that represent a specific date

Answer 13

Geologic Time Markers

Question 14

Using radioactive decay to determine the exact age of a rock, fossil, or event

Answer 14

Absolute Dating

Question 15

A transformation of a radioisotope

Answer 15

Radioactive Decay

Question 16

Has the same atomic number but different masses

Answer 16

Isotopes

Question 17

Half-go process

Answer 17

Half-Life

Question 18

The most common isotope

Answer 18

Uranium-238

Question 19

The longest living isotope

Answer 19

Carbon-14