Geologic Time

Front

What is absolute dating?

Back

Absolute dating is the process of determining the age of an object in years using methods such as measuring the amount of radioactive isotopes present.

Front

What does the law of superposition state?

Back

The law of superposition states that in undisturbed sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest layers are at the top.

Front

What is relative dating?

Back

Relative dating is the method of determining the age of an object or layer in comparison to other objects or layers.

Front

What is the significance of fossils in geologic time?

Back

Fossils provide evidence of past life and can help determine the relative ages of rock layers.

Front

What is the law of suspension?

Back

The law of suspension is a method used to determine the relative age of sedimentary layers based on their organization and position.

Front

What is radioactive dating?

Back

Radioactive dating is a method used to determine the age of an object by measuring the amount of a radioactive isotope and its decay rate.

Front

Why might fish fossils be found in a desert?

Back

Fish fossils may be found in a desert because millions of years ago, the area was once a lake where fish lived before geological changes turned it into a desert.

Front

What is sedimentation?

Back

Sedimentation is the process by which particles settle out of a fluid, forming layers of sediment over time.

Front

What is the difference between absolute and relative dating?

Back

Absolute dating provides a specific age in years, while relative dating places events in order without providing exact dates.

Front

What is the importance of the geologic time scale?

Back

The geologic time scale is important for understanding Earth's history, including the timing and relationships of events in Earth's past.