Relative Ages of Rocks Answers

1 verified answers
1
Free Preview

Which principle states that, in undisturbed rock layers, the oldest rocks are on the bottom and the youngest rocks are on top?

A
the principle of disconformity
B
the principle of superposition
C
the principle of nonconformity
D
the principle of disposition
2
Free Preview

A limestone bed containing fossils that are 550 million years old is ____ a bed of sandstone containing fossils that are 400 million years old.

A
younger than
B
the same age as
C
older than
D
not related to
3

Which statement is true of the undisturbed rock layers shown?

A
Limestone is the youngest.
B
Shale is the youngest.
C
Limestone is the oldest.
D
Shale is the oldest.
4

Determining the order of events and the relative age of rocks by examining the position of rocks in a sequence is called ____.

A
absolute dating
B
radiometric dating
C
relative dating
D
radiocarbon dating
5

If a layer of sandstone lies on top of a layer of limestone in which a 300-million-year-old fossil is found, and there are no unconformities, the layer of sandstone must be ____.

A
older than 300 million years
B
younger than 300 million years
C
about 300 million years old
D
older than 600 million years
6

Extrusions are formed by cooling magma beneath Earth’s surface.

A
T
B
F
7

The age of one rock layer compared to the age of another rock layer is its __________.

A
comparative age
B
relative age
C
actual age
D
conformity
8

Please select the word from the list that best fits the definition

A
carbonaceous film
B
cast
C
principle of superposition
D
radiometric dating
E
beta decay
F
half-life
G
index fossils
H
mold
I
uniformitarianism
J
radioactive decay
K
relative dating
L
unconformities
9

Gaps in rock layers are called ____.

A
unconformities
B
index fossils
C
half-lives
D
none of the above
10

If the same sequence of rock layers is observed over a large area, ____.

A
they are probably not related
B
a large deposit of rock formed over a large area
C
conditions of formation were probably very different
D
it is just a coincidence

Did you find these answers helpful?