Vocab Review M1, Lesson 1 Relative Age Dating

Front

What is the approximate age of the Earth?

Back

4.6 billion years

Front

Which layer is considered the oldest?

Back

Layer E

Front

What is absolute age?

Back

The exact age of a rock or fossil, in years

Front

What does the Principle of Uniformitarianism state?

Back

Geologic processes that occur today are similar to those that have occurred in the past.

Front

What does relative dating of rock layers indicate about depth?

Back

The deeper we dig, the older the rocks get.

Front

What is relative age dating?

Back

The comparison of one rock to another to see which is older or younger.

Front

What is the Principle of Superposition?

Back

In undisturbed rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.

Front

What is an intrusion in geology?

Back

A body of igneous rock that has formed by the cooling and solidification of magma beneath the Earth's surface.

Front

What is the significance of the Law of Original Horizontality?

Back

Sedimentary rocks are originally deposited in horizontal layers.

Front

What does the term 'fossil' refer to?

Back

The preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms.