Relative Ages And Dating Of Rocks Flashcards
Defined by the methods used to measure it
Time
Accomplished by placing events in logical sequential order
Relative dating
Provides specific dates for geologic rock units or events using radio metric dating
Absolute dating
The father of modern geology suggested that present day processes operating over long periods of time
James Hutton
Established the guiding principal of geology
Charles Lyell
Places events in sequential order but does not tell us when an event took place
Relative dating
States that sediment is originally deposited in horizontal layers
Original horizontality
The oldest layer is on the bottom and the youngest layer is on top
Superposition
Sediment extends laterally in all directions until it thins and pinches out
Lateral continuity
An igneous intrusion must be younger than the rock it intrudes
Also faults must be younger than rocks they displace
Cross-cutting relationships
