“What’s Up? A Relative Dating Activity”

Introduction

Before geologists can correlate the ages of rocks from different areas, they must first figure out the ages of rocks at a single location. Within a single locality, geologists are able to determine which rock units are the oldest and which are youngest. This type of analysis is called relative age dating.

Directions

• We will read the “Purpose “ and “Background” together

• With your partner • Read all background information on pages 2-3 • Complete PART 1 ONLY.

• Any questions not completed must be complete at home and they will be checked on Monday 1/8/2018

• Resources• Booklet handed out in class• Your chapter 3 TB pages • Notes from previous day

Part I Answers

1. Principle of superposition; principle of original horizontality; principle of faunal succession; principle of inclusion

2. No, igneous can be used (principle of cross cutting relations) and metamorphic can also be used (metamorphic contact zones)

Part I Answers

Part I Answers

3. Faults are younger than the rocks they cut.

4. a. Yes, if the faults contained fossils, particularly index

fossils. b. Yes, this figure contains igneous rocks and it may be

possible to find an absolute age by using radiometric dating

Part I Answers

5. Cross cutting relationships, contact metamorphic zones, inclusions

Part II

Part II Figure 1 Answer

BADEC

Part II Figure 2 AnswersADCBE

Part II Figure 3

Answer (Youngest to Oldest)

EIDHBFACG