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Sedimentary rock is composed of the weathered remains of a variety of rocks of all ages. It would therefore only be possible to date specific components of a sample, none of which would equate to the age of the sedimentary rock as a unit. Sedimentary rock is dated by its association in the geologic column with igneous and metamorphic rock which can be dated by radioactive dating techniques.

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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.


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

Relative dating involves comparing rock layers with others in a sequence to determine their ages. This process relies on the principle of superposition, where younger rocks are usually found on top of older rocks. By studying the relationships between different rock layers, scientists can establish the relative ages of the rocks.


What is the law of superposition and how does it help scientists learn about earth's past?

The law of superposition states that in a sequence of undisturbed rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest layers are at the top. By studying the order of rock layers and the fossils within them, scientists can determine the relative ages of the rocks and reconstruct the Earth's past environments and history.


Younger layers of undisturbed sedimentary rock are above older layers according to?

the principle of superposition, which states that in an undisturbed sequence of rock layers, the youngest layer is on top and the oldest is on the bottom. This principle helps geologists determine the relative ages of rock layers based on their position in a stratigraphic sequence.


What are three types of clues to the relative age of rock layers other than the law of superposition?

Fossil succession: Examining the types of fossils found in rock layers can help determine their relative age as different life forms existed during different time periods. Cross-cutting relationships: If a rock layer is cut by another geological feature like a fault or intrusion, the feature is younger than the rock layer it cuts across. Unconformities: Gaps in the rock record due to erosion or non-deposition can indicate periods of missing time and help establish relative ages of rock layers.

Related Questions

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.


What are recognition of unconformity?

Recognition of unconformities involves identifying breaks in the geological record where sediment deposition was interrupted, followed by erosion and non-deposition before new sediment accumulation started. Unconformities can be recognized by differences in rock type, sedimentary structures, or by the absence of a continuous sequence of rock layers. Studying unconformities can provide important information about the history of Earth's surface and past geological events.


How can fossills be used to determine the relative ages of rock layers?

fossils can be used to determine the relative age of rock layer by using the classification of fossils to find the relative ages of rocks in which fossils are found. :] hoped i helped you out.


Can fossils be used to determine the relative ages of rocks layers?

fossils can be used to determine the relative age of rock layer by using the classification of fossils to find the relative ages of rocks in which fossils are found. :] hoped i helped you out.


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

Relative dating involves comparing rock layers with others in a sequence to determine their ages. This process relies on the principle of superposition, where younger rocks are usually found on top of older rocks. By studying the relationships between different rock layers, scientists can establish the relative ages of the rocks.


What is the law of superposition and how does it help scientists learn about earth's past?

The law of superposition states that in a sequence of undisturbed rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest layers are at the top. By studying the order of rock layers and the fossils within them, scientists can determine the relative ages of the rocks and reconstruct the Earth's past environments and history.


What are the different types of unconformities?

An unconformity is defined as a buried erosional or non-depositional surface separating two rock masses or strata of different ages, indicating that sediment deposition was not continuous. The different types of unconformities include disconformity, nonconformity, angular unconformity, paraconformity, buttress unconformity, blended unconformity, and biconformity.


How do a geologist use the principle of superposition?

The principle of superposition states that a rock layer on top of another is younger than the one beneath it. Geologists use the principle of superposition to determine the relative ages of rock layers.


Why is it difficult to determine the absolute age of a rock?

It is difficult to determine the absolute age of a sedimentary rock because sedimentary rocks are made up of diverse particles that are all different ages. As a result radioactive dating can only determine the age of the particles, not the whole rock.


Which is an example of relative dating?

One example of relative dating is studying the layers of rock in a particular area. By analyzing the sequence of rock layers and the fossils within them, scientists can determine the relative ages of the rocks and the fossils they contain.


Fossil used to compare the relative ages of fossils?

Index fossils are used to compare the relative ages of fossils. These are fossils that are known to have lived during a specific time period, helping to date the rock layers in which they are found. By identifying and comparing index fossils, scientists can determine the relative ages of different rock layers and 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