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The oldest moon rocks are actually older than the oldest Earth rocks. The moon formed from accreted material that resulted from a collision between Earth and a Mars sized protoplanet. Both the Earth and the moon were molten for a period after the collision. Because of the moon's smaller size, it's surface cooled very quickly compared to the Earth. The solidified magma (rock) that formed the moon's crust has been dated at roughly 4.4 billion years of age. Even though no Earth rock has been found to date this old, we can still reasonably assume that the Earth is at least that old due to the fact that the moon is formed from accreted material from the previously mentioned collision.

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How did scientist determined the age of earth?

Scientists have used various methods to determine the age of Earth, including radiometric dating of rocks, studying the decay of radioactive isotopes, and analyzing meteorites. By measuring the ratios of different isotopes in rocks and meteorites, scientists have estimated the age of Earth to be around 4.5 billion years old.


Where were rocks first discovered?

Rocks have been present on Earth since its formation around 4.6 billion years ago. The earliest documentation of rocks comes from ancient civilizations that used stones for tools and construction. The specific location where rocks were first recognized is difficult to determine due to their ubiquity in nature.


How can the magnetic orientation of rocks be used to trace the way a continent moved as it drifted?

The magnetic orientation of rocks can be used to track the movement of continents by recording the direction and intensity of Earth's magnetic field at the time the rocks formed. When rocks solidify, they lock in the orientation of Earth's magnetic field. By comparing the magnetic orientation of rocks from different locations, geologists can determine how the continents have drifted over time.


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.


Are only sedimentary rocks used for relative age determination?

No, sedimentary rocks are commonly used for relative age determination due to their layering and formation process. However, other types of rocks like volcanic rocks and metamorphic rocks can also be used to determine relative age based on principles of superposition, cross-cutting relationships, and faunal succession.

Related Questions

Why are Moon's rocks so simalar to earth's rocks?

The moon used to be part of the earth


A seismogragh left on the moon could be used to determine?

the exact distance between earth and moon


What is the type of rock that is used to determine how old the earth is and what lived on it?

The Answer is Sedimentary Rocks


How is radioactivity of elements used to determine the age of the earth?

It finds the half-life of rocks.


What basis do evolutionists use to determine the world is 4.5 billion years old?

Isotope dating from rocks is the main method that is used. Zircon crystals that formed on Earth have been dataed to over 4 billions years old. Dating has also been done on rocks fromt he moon, which formed shortly after earth did, to nearly 4.6 billion years.


What are the methods used to measure the age of earth and its parts?

Methods used to measure the age of Earth and its parts include radiometric dating, which uses the decay of radioactive isotopes to determine age, such as carbon dating for organic materials and uranium-lead dating for rocks. Other methods include stratigraphy, which analyzes the layering of rocks to establish a relative timeline, and dendrochronology, which uses tree rings to date events in the past. Additionally, paleomagnetism can help determine the age of rocks by analyzing changes in Earth's magnetic field recorded in the rocks.


How are the laws of superposition and crosscutting relationships used to determine the age of rocks?

They are used to determine the relative ages of rocks by stating that younger rocks lie above older rocks, and that rocks that cut through a layer are younger than the existing layer.


What is the uranium lead dating equation used for determining the age of rocks and minerals?

The uranium-lead dating equation is used to calculate the age of rocks and minerals by measuring the ratio of uranium to lead isotopes in a sample. This method is commonly used in geology to determine the age of Earth's oldest rocks.


How are the laws of superposition and crosscutting relationship used to determine the relative age of rocks?

They are used to determine the relative ages of rocks by stating that younger rocks lie above older rocks, and that rocks that cut through a layer are younger than the existing layer.


Where are the moon rocks retrieved by the Apollo Missions?

N.A.S.A used some of the moon rocks to study , and also sent the rocks to other countries as well to study. it is even in Australia.


What method do geologists use to determine the absolute age of rocks?

Radioactive dating is used to determine the absolute ages of rocks. By Jennifer Palos


Are rocks useful for us?

Rocks and the minerals from rocks are used to make almost everything we use or buy in our modern world. Construction, medicines, electrical production, fuels, metals production, transportation pathways, electronics; all depend on rocks and minerals. Rocks and minerals are also used as a window into Earth's history, and by examining them, we are able to discover how life has evolved, surmise the events and processes that shaped that life, and determine the age of the Earth and the solar system.