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In undisturbed rock layers, the principle of superposition states that the youngest rock layers are on top and the oldest are at the bottom. This means that the rock layer closest to the surface is the youngest, while the layer at the bottom is the oldest. Additionally, the principle of cross-cutting relationships helps determine relative ages by looking at how faults and intrusions cut across rock layers.

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A rock's position within rock layers can tell its?

relative age compared to other rocks in the layers. Over time, sedimentary layers form on top of older layers, with the youngest layer at the top and the oldest at the bottom. By examining a rock's position within these layers, geologists can determine its relative age based on the principle of superposition.


Could you tell the relative age of a fossil if layers of rock have been shifted by earthquakes?

No, the relative age of a fossil cannot be determined solely by observing the shifting of rock layers caused by earthquakes. Relative dating relies on the principle of superposition, which states that in undisturbed rock layers, the oldest layer is at the bottom and the youngest is at the top. If rock layers have been shifted, additional dating techniques would be needed to determine the relative age of the fossil.


Which princeples tell you how rock layers are laid?

The principles that explain how rock layers are laid include the Law of Superposition, which states that in an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rocks, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest at the top. The Principle of Original Horizontality indicates that layers of sediment are originally deposited horizontally under the action of gravity. Additionally, the Principle of Lateral Continuity suggests that rock layers extend laterally in all directions until they thin out or encounter a physical barrier.


Is metamorphic rock the oldest type of rock?

slate


What does the position of the rock layer tell you?

The position of a rock layer can provide clues about the relative age of the rocks, with lower layers usually being older than upper layers. It can also suggest the history of deposition and erosion in the area, helping to reconstruct the geological processes that have occurred over time. Additionally, the position of rock layers can indicate the original horizontal orientation of the sediment before it was subjected to geological forces.

Related Questions

What is the methods that tells you which layer of rock is oldest but does not tell you exactly how old?

Relative dating


A rock's position within rock layers can tell its?

relative age compared to other rocks in the layers. Over time, sedimentary layers form on top of older layers, with the youngest layer at the top and the oldest at the bottom. By examining a rock's position within these layers, geologists can determine its relative age based on the principle of superposition.


What does the law of superposition tell us about rock layers?

youngest on top


What can you tell from undisturbed rock layers?

Undisturbed rock layers can provide valuable information about Earth's history. By studying the order and sequence of rock layers, scientists can determine the relative ages of the rocks and understand the past environments, climate, and geological events that shaped the Earth. Fossils found in these undisturbed layers can also provide insights into past life forms and evolution.


Could you tell the relative age of a fossil if layers of rock have been shifted by earthquakes?

No, the relative age of a fossil cannot be determined solely by observing the shifting of rock layers caused by earthquakes. Relative dating relies on the principle of superposition, which states that in undisturbed rock layers, the oldest layer is at the bottom and the youngest is at the top. If rock layers have been shifted, additional dating techniques would be needed to determine the relative age of the fossil.


How can scientists understand what the relevant age of a fossil is?

There are layers of earth that are deposited over time and based on where a fossil is in the layers a scientist can understand what the age of the fossil is relevant to another fossil in a different layer of earth. The law of superposition says that new sediment is deposited on top of old sediment so, the sediment in the bottom layer is the oldest and the sediment at the top is the youngest. Because of this the fossils in the bottom layer are the oldest and the fossils near the top are the youngest. Say you have 10 layers of rock, and the top layer is number 1 (the youngest) and the bottom layer is number 10 (the oldest). Even if a scientist can't tell exactly how old a fossil is if they know it is in a layer deeper than another fossil they know it is older than that fossil so, a fossil from layer 9 is older than a fossil from layer 5 which is also older than a fossil from layer 3. This is relative age. If we take it a step further... If a scientist knows that the fossil in layer 4 is 65 million years old than we not only know the fossils in layer 5-10 are older than the one in layer 4, but that they are all older than 65 million years old. So, the fossils in layer 1-3 would be less than 65 million years old. Scientists can know how old a specific fossil is sometimes based on whether or not it is an index fossil (a fossil that only occurred during a very small, specific interval of time), or if it is possible to carbon date it or something in the same layer.


What is an unconformity what can it tell you?

Type your answer an unconformity indicates where a layer is missing in the strata sequence, so it tells you that there is a missing rock layerhere...


Could you tell me something about realative ages of rocks for a project please?

When you look at a rock that has undisturbed layers, the bottom layers are older and the upper layers are younger. Anytime a rock layer crosses another (ie. an intrusion), the crossing layer is younger.


How can you tell if a mesa or butte was formed by lava?

Mesas and buttes are formed by differential erosion where a tough layer of rock protects weaker ones below it. If the top layer of rock is a volcanic rock such as basalt, then it was formed as an indirect result of volcanic activity. The whole rock formation may not by volcanic, as lava may flow over sediment.


How old are the stars in spiral galaxies?

A spiral galaxy is just a type of galaxy but I can tell you that the stars in the middle are the oldest and the ones on the outside are the youngest.


Who is the youngest member of the Saturdays?

Vanessa is the youngest saturday. It may not look like it , but she even said it herself. Go to youtube and type in vanessa what goes on tour stays on tour. She will tell you that she is the youngest


What is the oldest city Florida?

the oldest citie in florida is....................................... tell you when i am 50