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The chronological order of rock layers is usually determined by their order in an undisturbed sequence of strata. According to the principle of superposition, the oldest layers would be found at the bottom and the youngest layers at the top. In disturbed rock layers (those that have been folded, uplifted, or generally disrupted by tectonic forces), the determination must be made based on the presence of index fossils, comparison to undisturbed strata or radiometric dating.

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Q: How do you determine the order of rock layers?
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Related questions

How do a geologist use the principle of superposition?

A geologist uses the principle of superposition to determine the relative ages of rocks and sedimentary layers. This principle states that in undisturbed layers of rock, the youngest layers are at the top while the oldest layers are at the bottom. By observing the order in which different rock layers are stacked, a geologist can infer the sequence of events that happened over time in a particular location.


How do you determine which rock layers are older than other when looking many layers of rock piled on top of one another?

bope bop bope bpo


How are the layers of rock if they are undisturbed?

The undisturbed rock layers are horizontal and in order of age from youngest nearest the surface to oldest at the bottom of the rock unit.


What two things did 19th century scientists do to determine the relative age of sedimentary rock all over the world?

They studied fossils and applied the principle that old layers of rock are below young layers! -


How can you determine if a rock is foliated or nonfoliated?

You can determine because there is texture differences. Also, foliated rocks have visible layers or elongated grains of minerals. Nonfoliated does not have distinct layers or bands.


Is it true that Stratigraphy is a method to determine the relative age of rock strata?

Yes, stratigraphy is a method to determine the relative age of rock strata. Stratigraphy is a branch of geology which studies rock layers.


Why are index fossils useful for figure out the age of a set of disturbed rock layers?

index fossils are useful for figuring out the age of a set of disturbed rock layers by index fossils are used to determine when rock layers were formed so if they were used to figure out the age of a set of disturbed rock layers than they can also figure out when they were formed .


What are index fossils and how are they used to determine the absolute age of sedimentary rock?

Index fossils can be used to help determine the relative age of rock layers. Index fossils are from species that only existed for a short time. Index fossils are found in rock layers. Trilobites and Graptolites are index fossils.


How can you determine accurate ages of rock layers?

Stratigraphic position Age Dating techniques i.e. carbon etc Fossil Assemblage present in rock specimen


What process involves the comparison of rock layers with others in a sequence to determine its age?

relative dating


What two things did 19th century scientists do to determine the relative ages of sedimentary rock all over the world?

They studied fossils and applied the principle that old layers of rock are below young layers! -


Intrusions of the igneous rock are younger or older than the rock layers beneath and surrounding them?

they are younger and extrusions are older. they are younger because the surrounding rock layers had to have been there first in order for it to appear. :)