Rock Layers and Ages Practice Flashcard

Front

What is the law of superposition?

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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Front

What is an outcrop?

Back

An outcrop is a visible exposure of bedrock or ancient geological formations on the surface of the Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Front

What does it mean if one layer is older than another?

Back

If one layer is older than another, it means that the older layer was deposited first, and the younger layer was deposited on top of it.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Front

What is a fault in geology?

Back

A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock, which can cause displacement.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Front

What is sedimentary rock?

Back

Sedimentary rock is formed by the accumulation and compaction of mineral and organic particles, often in layers.

Front

What is the significance of fossils in rock layers?

Back

Fossils help determine the relative ages of rock layers and can indicate the environment in which the sediment was deposited.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Front

What is the difference between relative age and absolute age?

Back

Relative age is the age of a rock layer compared to other layers, while absolute age is the actual age of the rock, often determined by radiometric dating.

Front

What is a geological time scale?

Back

A geological time scale is a system of chronological dating that relates geological strata to time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Front

What is the principle of original horizontality?

Back

The principle of original horizontality states that layers of sediment are originally deposited horizontally under the action of gravity.

Front

What is an unconformity?

Back

An unconformity is a surface that represents a gap in the geological record, where rock layers have been eroded or not deposited.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4