Relative Age Dating Worksheet
This worksheet covers key principles and concepts of relative age dating in geology for Grade 11 science students.
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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 your knowledge of relative age dating principles.
1. Which principle of relative age dating 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 Faunal Succession
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 states that sedimentary layers are originally deposited in horizontal layers.
4. An is a break in the geologic record, representing a period of erosion or non-deposition.
5. The Principle of allows geologists to correlate rock layers across different locations based on their fossil content.
6. Relative age dating provides a numerical age for rock layers.
True
False
7. Inclusions are always younger than the rock unit they are contained within.
True
False
8. Observe the diagram below. Identify the oldest and youngest rock units shown, and briefly explain your reasoning using relevant principles of relative age dating.
Match each principle with its definition.
9. Superposition
a. Younger features cut across older features
10. Original Horizontality
b. Sedimentary layers are deposited horizontally
11. Cross-Cutting Relationships
c. Oldest layers are at the bottom, youngest at the top
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