Earth Science: Geology, the Environment, and the Universe

Section 2: Relative-Age Dating of Rocks

Relative-Age Dating of Rocks

1
What principle of geology states that sedimentary rocks are deposited horizontally or nearly horizontally?
A)cross-cutting relationships
B)original horizontality
C)uniformitarianism
D)superposition
2
Which feature shown in the figure is the oldest?
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A)Q
B)P
C)H
D)L
3
The principle of _________ states that an intrusion or fault is younger than the rocks it cuts across.
A)uniformitarianism
B)cross-cutting relationships
C)original horizontality
D)superposition
4
If a horizontal Devonian shale directly overlies a horizontal Ordovician limestone, what is the surface between the strata called?
A)an erosional surface
B)a nonconformity
C)a disconformity
D)an angular unconformity
5
The __________ states that the processes that have been occurring today have been occurring since Earth formed.
A)principle of original horizontality
B)principle of uniformitarianism
C)principle of superposition
D)principle of cross-cutting relationships
6
What geologic principle states that in an undisturbed rock sequence, the oldest rocks are on the bottom and the youngest are on the top?
A)uniformitarianism
B)cross-cutting relationships
C)original horizontality
D)superposition
7
What is an erosional contact between sedimentary and nonsedimentary rocks called?
A)a nonconformity
B)a fault
C)a disconformity
D)a lava flow
8
What does a disconformity in a sedimentary rock sequence represent?
A)a gap in the rock record
B)a volcanic eruption
C)duplicated strata in the rock record
D)a flood event
9
Which layering shown in the figure demonstrates disconformity?
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A)B
B)C
C)A
D)none of the above
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