Relative Age Dating Principles Lab Questions

The Earth is very old and many of its features were formed before people came along to study them. Studying Earth’s past is much like detective work—using clues such as positions of rock layers to uncover distinct stories. The work of geologists and paleontologists is very much like the work of forensic scientists at a crime scene. The ability to put events in their proper order is the key to unraveling the hidden story of Earth’s history.

Relative dating is a geologic term that describes the set of principles and techniques used to sequence geologic events and determine the relative age of rock formations. You will find that most of these concepts are easy to understand.

Upon completing this lab, you should be able to:

1. Describe and interpret the 5 key relative age dating principles.
2. Describe and interpret the 3 different kinds of unconformities.
3. Draw and interpret the geologic history of a cross-section.

Read this .pdf for instructions on the lab you will be completing in this unit. An example is also provided with what you will be expected to complete in this lab. Once you have completed your original assignment, please ensure you submit it to the Lab Assignment 5 box.