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Younger layers are deposited on top of older layers, whether the layer is sedimentary or volcanic. Occasionally faults may result in overthrusts, where a series of older layers may be pushed over the top of younger layers. But this is rare. In general, the older layers will be the lower layers.

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Reese Lebsack

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Does the law of superposition helps geologist determine the absoloute age of a rock layer?

no, the relative age


What can the law of superposition determine?

The law of superposition can determine the relative ages of rock layers or fossils in a sequence. It helps geologists understand the order in which geological events occurred, with the oldest layers at the bottom and the youngest at the top.


How can the law of superposition be used to determine the relative age of sedimentary rock?

The law of superposition states that in an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rocks, the youngest rocks are on top and the oldest are at the bottom. By observing the layers of sedimentary rock, geologists can determine the relative ages of the rocks based on their position in the sequence. The principle helps establish a chronological order of events in Earth's history.


Nicolaus Steno proposed the most basic principle of relative dating called the law of what?

Nicolaus Steno proposed the law of superposition, which states that in any undisturbed sequence of rock layers, the youngest layer is on top, and the oldest layer is on the bottom. This principle helps geologists determine the relative ages of rock layers and the events that formed them.


IS stratigraphy is a method to determine the relative age of rock strata?

Yes, stratigraphy is a method used to determine the relative age of rock strata by studying the layers or strata of rock and determining their relative ages based on principles of superposition and original horizontality. This method helps geologists understand the sequence of events that have occurred in a particular area over time.


Can you use Law of Superposition in a sentence?

The Law of Superposition states that in any sequence of undisturbed rock layers, the youngest layer is on top and the oldest layer is at the bottom. This principle helps geologists determine the relative ages of rock layers and understand the history of Earth's geological processes.


According to the principle of superposition the lowest layer in a cross section of a rock sequence?

According to the principle of superposition, the lowest layer in a cross section of a rock sequence is the oldest, as younger layers are deposited on top of older layers. This principle helps geologists determine the relative ages of rock layers by analyzing the order in which they were formed.


States that older rocks lie below younger rocks in undisturbed sequence?

This principle is known as the Law of Superposition, which states that in an undisturbed sequence of rock layers, the oldest rocks are located at the bottom while the youngest rocks are found at the top. This principle helps geologists determine the relative ages of rock layers and the sequence of events in Earth's history.


The law that states that rock layers closest to the surface are the youngest rock is the?

The law that states that rock layers closest to the surface are the youngest rock is the Law of Superposition. This principle helps geologists determine the relative ages of rock layers by establishing that the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.


What is the Law of Superposition?

Superposition is the principle that states that, in undisturbed strata, newer layers will be deposited over older layers; thus, in a core sample, those samples of earth and rock nearest the surface will be newer in age than those beneath them.


What does relative dating mean?

Relative dating is a method used in geology to determine the age of rock layers or fossils in relation to each other. It does not provide specific numerical ages, but instead establishes a sequence of events based on the principles of superposition, original horizontality, and cross-cutting relationships. This method helps scientists understand the relative timing of geologic events.


How the law of superposition helps paleontologist?

Superposition is the methodology of younger sediments being deposited over older rocks. Paleontologists can determine the evolution or extinction of a species by looking at what fossils are either present or absent in a particular sedimentary layer.