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Relative and Absolute Dating of Rocks

This document discusses methods for dating rocks. Absolute dating determines the actual age of a rock through radioactive decay, while relative dating determines the order of geological events by examining rock layers. Relative dating uses principles like superposition, original horizontality, cross-cutting relationships, and inclusion to sequence rock layers based on their position and features. Absolute dating provides specific numerical ages.

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Andreana Amor Gulay
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131 views

Relative and Absolute Dating of Rocks

This document discusses methods for dating rocks. Absolute dating determines the actual age of a rock through radioactive decay, while relative dating determines the order of geological events by examining rock layers. Relative dating uses principles like superposition, original horizontality, cross-cutting relationships, and inclusion to sequence rock layers based on their position and features. Absolute dating provides specific numerical ages.

Uploaded by

Andreana Amor Gulay
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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RELATIVE AND

ABSOLUTE
DATING OF
ROCKS
ROCK DATING ABSOLUT Determining
the actual age
E DATING of a rock

RELATIV Determining which


rock, fossil, or
E event came first,
DATING second, third etc.
ROCK DATING
ABSOLUT Radioactive
E DATING Decay

RELATIV
Geologic
E Sequencing
DATING
I AM 23
I AM 13 YEARS
YEARS OLD
OLD

ABSOLUTE
DATING
I AM
I AM OLDER
YOUNGE
R

RELATIVE
DATING
THE LAW OF
UNIFORMITARIANISM
GEOLOGIC CROSS-
SECTIONS
RULE NO. 1
Sedimentary rocks form
as sediments are
deposited on the bottom
of a body of water
RULE NO. 2
Weathering and erosion of
rock layers occurs on the
surface (not under water)
RULE NO. 3
The layers of rock on the
bottom are the oldest

The Law of Superposition


1. Deposition of D
2. Deposition of C
3. Deposition of B
4. Deposition of A
5. Uplift
6. Weathering
and erosion
RULE NO. 4
Sedimentary layers are
deposited horizontally.

The Law of Original Horizontality


1. Deposition of Shale
2. Deposition of Sandstone
3. Deposition of
Limestone
4. Deposition of Shale
5. Deposition of
Limestone
6. Deposition of Sandstone
7. Folding
8. Uplift
9. Weathering and Erosion
RULE NO. 5
Rocks must exist before
any intrusion or
deformation happens.
The Law of Crosscutting
1. Deposition of Limestone
2. Deposition of Siltstone
3. Deposition of
Sandstone
4. Deposition of
Limestone
5. Deposition of
Sandstone
6. Tilting/Faulting
7. Uplift
8. Weathering and
Erosion
RULE NO. 6
Intrusions are younger
than the rocks they
metamorphose
1. Deposition of E
2. Deposition of D
3. Intrusion of C
4. Contact
Metamorphism
5. Deposition of B
6. Deposition of A
EXAMPLE
RULE NO. 7
Faults are younger
than the rocks they cut
through
RULE NO. 8
Uplift, weathering and
erosion, and subsidence
forms unconformities
Unconformities
represent a missing
part of the record
A geologic mystery

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