Laws of Geology
Strictly Vocabulary
What Came First and Why?
Just the Facts
Memory Test
100
This law states that the natural processes that happen in nature today have happened in the same ways throughout Earth's history.
The Law of Uniformitarianism
100
The actual age of an object or artifact, given in years.
What is ABSOLUTE AGE?
100
Is the darker sedimentary rock or the lighter metamorphic rock older, and why?
The matamorphic rocks are older because of the LAW OF INCLUSIONS
100
The layer of "original rock" from the formation of Earth, found at the bottom of all rock formations if you dig dow far enough is called what?
What is BEDROCK?
100
The constant changing of types of rock from sedimentary to metamorphic, to igneous, to sedimentary is called
What is The Rock Cycle?
200
This law states that the rock layers an igneous intrusion has metamorphosed are older than the intrusion itself.
The Law of Intrusions
200
The principle that states that the natural processes we see happening today, erosion, weathering, earthquakes, sedimentation, etc., happened in the same ways in the past.
What is the Principle of UNIFORMITARIANISM?
200
This is a mass of igneous rock found crossing layers a sedimentary rock strata. Which is older, the igneous or sedimentary rock?
The sedimentary rock is older because of the LAW OF INTRUSIONS.
200
The remains or traces of living organisms found within sedimentary rock are called
What are fossils?
200
This theoretical supercontinent broke into the continents we see today
What is Pangea?
300
This law states that chunks of other rock types found within a sedimentary rock layer must be older than the sedimentary layer in which they are found.
What is the Law of Inclusions
300
The sudden disappearance, in the fossil record, of many types of organisms that were present in older rock layers
What is a MASS EXTINCTION?
300
Which rock layer was deposited first, the dark layer or the lighter layer behind the geologist?
The lighter layer behind the geologist came first because of the Law of SUPERPOSITION
300
"That piece of petrified wood is older than this fossil." This statement is an example of
What is relative dating?
300
This boundary between tectonic plates occurs when two tectonic plates move toward each other and collide
What is a Convergent Boundary?
400
This law states that sedimentary rock layers are deposited in a flat layer at the bottom of bodies of water
What is the Law or Original Horizontality?
400
A freeform mass of igneous rock that crosses through layers of sedimentary rock strata
What is an INTRUSION
400
There is an irregularly shaped line between layer B and layers M and D. Which came first, that line or layer D?
Layer D came fisrt because of the Law of Uncomformities
400
How do we know that Layer M is older than Layer B?
The law of superposition tells us that older layers of rock are found beneath newer layers of rock.
400
This area is created when one tectonic plate slips under another tectonic plate
What is a Subduction Zone?
500
This law states that sedimentary rock layers are deposited in large, continuous, lateral sheets
What is the Law of Lateral Continuity?
500
Assigning an age to an object or artifact by comparing it to other objects or artifacts
What is RELATIVE DATING?
500
This pictures shows a fracture that crosses through various layers of rock strata. Which came first, the rock layers or the fault?
The rock layers came fisrt because of the Law of Cross-Cutting Relationships
500
How do we know that layers M and D have been above water for a period of time?
Weathering can only occur above water.
500
This theory states that Earth's surface is made of rigid slabs of rock that move with respect to each other
What is the Theory of Plate Tectonics