Ohio Geology Flashcards
What is the Law of Uniformitarianism?
Current geologic processes are the same as those in the past.
What is the Law of Superposition?
Unless the layers are deformed, a rock layer below is older than a rock layer above.
How can rock structures help determine the relative age of a rock layer?
Ripple mark crests point up. Sand dunes make curved lines towards the bottom of the layer. Graded bedding has larger particles on the bottom of the layer.
What is an unconformity?
A break in the rock record. Geologic evidence is missing.
How can erosion form an unconformity?
Erosion removes material and transports it to a different area.
How is the absolute age of a rock layer determined?
Radiometric dating uses the decay rates of radioactive elements to determine how much time has passed since deposition.
What is a fossil?
Fossils are the remains of once-living organisms.
How can fossils help determine the depositional environment?
Certain organisms live in a well-defined environment. Presence of those fossils indicate the environment where the organism lived and died.
What are five agents that can cause erosion?
Wind, flowing water, gravity, and animal movement.
What is the order of sediment size from smallest to largest?
Clay, silt, sand, gravel and boulders.
What is terrigenic sediment?
Rock particles that rivers carry from the land.
What is biogenic sediment?
The shells and bones of animals
What is limestone?
A sedimentary rock formed from calcium carbonate minerals.
What is sandstone?
A sedimentary rock formed from sand sized grains cemented together.
What is shale?
A sedimentary rock formed from clay particles cemented together.
What is a marine environment?
Marine refers to deposition that occurs in saltwater seas.
What is an aeolian environment?
Aeolian deposits refer to wind-carried sediment.