Relative Age & Correlation

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What is relative age in geology?

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Relative age refers to the age of a rock or geological feature in comparison to another rock or feature, determining which is older or younger without assigning a specific numerical age.

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What is the principle of superposition?

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The principle of superposition states that in an undeformed sequence of sedimentary rocks, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest layers are at the top.

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What is an intrusion in geology?

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An intrusion is a body of igneous rock that forms when magma cools and solidifies beneath the Earth's surface.

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What is contact metamorphism?

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Contact metamorphism occurs when rocks are heated and altered by the proximity of molten magma or lava.

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What is the significance of fossils in relative dating?

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Fossils help in relative dating by providing clues about the age of the rock layers in which they are found, allowing geologists to correlate layers across different locations.

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What is a fault in geological terms?

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A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock, which can cause displacement and is often associated with earthquakes.

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What does the term 'uplift' refer to in geology?

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Uplift refers to the geological process where rocks are raised to a higher elevation, often due to tectonic forces.

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What is erosion?

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Erosion is the process by which soil and rock are removed from the Earth's surface by natural forces such as wind or water.

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What is the difference between sedimentary and igneous rocks?

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Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation of sediment, while igneous rocks are formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.

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What is the law of original horizontality?

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