Relative Age Dating Worksheet
This worksheet covers key principles of relative age dating in geology, including superposition, original horizontality, cross-cutting relationships, and inclusions.
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Relative Age Dating Worksheet
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Refer to the provided diagrams where applicable.
1. Which principle states that in an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary strata, the oldest layer is at the bottom and the youngest is at the top?
Principle of Original Horizontality
Principle of Superposition
Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships
Principle of Inclusions
2. An igneous intrusion cuts across several layers of sedimentary rock. According to the Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships, which is older?
The igneous intrusion
The sedimentary layers
They are the same age
Cannot be determined
3. The Principle of Original Horizontality states that sedimentary layers are originally deposited in horizontal beds.
True
False
4. Inclusions (fragments of one rock unit enclosed within another) are always younger than the rock unit they are contained within.
True
False
5. The Principle of states that any geological feature that cuts across another is younger than the feature it cuts.
6. A break in the geologic record, representing a period of erosion or non-deposition, is called an .
7. Observe the diagram below showing sedimentary layers. Based on the Principle of Superposition, list the layers from oldest to youngest.
