Lesson 1 (geologic time) definitions
WORD
DEFINITION
UNIFORMITARIANISM
Geologic processes that occur today are similar to those that have
occurred in the past.
RELATIVE AGE
Is the age of rocks and geologic features compared with other
rocks and geologic features nearby.
Is the principle that in undisturbed rock layers, the oldest rocks are
on the bottom.
Most rock-forming materials are deposited in horizontal layers.
SUPERPOSITION
ORIGINAL
HORIZONTALITY
LATERAL CONTINUITY
CROSS-CUTTING
RELATIONSHIPS
INCLUSION
FOSSILS
MASS EXTINCTIONS
Is the principle that sediments are deposited in large, flat sheets.
If one geologic feature cuts across another feature, the feature
that it cuts across is older.
A piece of an older rock that becomes part of a new rock.
Are the preserved remains or evidence of ancient living things.
Times when many species on Earth died or become extinct within
a relatively short period of time.
5 Principles of relative age
dating
Superposition
youngest
oldest
Original
horizontality
Lateral
continuity
Cross-cutting
relationships
inclusions