Understanding Relative Dating of Rocks

What is the primary concept of the first law of relative dating?

• Rock layers are always vertical.

• Rock layers are always disturbed by geologic events.

• Rock layers are formed horizontally unless disturbed.

• Rock layers are formed in a circular pattern.

According to the law of superposition, which layer is the oldest?

• The deepest layer

• The middle layer

• The layer with the most fossils

• The topmost layer

What is an igneous intrusion?

• A layer of rock formed by sedimentation

• A crack in the rock caused by an earthquake

• Magma that rises and hardens into a new rock layer

• A fossilized layer of ancient plants

How can you tell if a layer was affected by a geologic event?

• It is always the topmost layer.

• It is not aligned with other layers.

• It contains more fossils than other layers.

• It is the thickest layer.

What shape is characteristic of an igneous extrusion?

• A flat layer

• A zigzag pattern

• A mushroom shape

• A circular pattern

What is a fault in geological terms?

• A layer of sediment

• A type of fossil

• A crack in the rock caused by an earthquake

• A type of igneous rock

Which layer is likely to be the youngest if it is not split by a fault?

• The layer below the fault

• The layer that is not split by the fault

• The layer with the most fossils

• The layer above the fault

What does the presence of fossils in deeper layers indicate?

• The species were larger in size.

• The species lived earlier.

• The species lived more recently.

• The species were more diverse.

How do fossils help scientists?

• By indicating the size of ancient species

• By showing the color of ancient species

• By creating a timeline of life on Earth

• By revealing the diet of ancient species

What is the significance of the skull found in the top layer?

• It is the most colorful fossil.

• It is the oldest fossil.

• It is the youngest fossil.

• It is the largest fossil.