Name: _________________________________________ D_______________P____
_____/50 points
Relative Dating Practicum
Due: February 27, 2014
Note: Please keep in mind that other HW assignments will be assigned!
A practicum is a real life application of something you are studying. In our case, this is relative
dating and the law of superposition. Over the last several classes, you have been identifying the age
of rock layers using three laws: The Law of Superposition, the Cross Cutting Law, and the Law of
Inclusions.
Your goal for this assignment is to draw your own relative dating scenario. You can use your notes
and in-class assignments for ideas. Do not use the internet to search out examples. I will review
Google images if I see reason. I will also compare drawings to see if another student has influenced
your drawing.
Practicum Requirements:
1. There can be only 8 different stratified sedimentary layers properly shaded/dashed and labeled (10
pts).
2. One of the layers must be in the form of a disconformity. (2 pts)
3. There needs to be at least 2 different crosscutting layers that
have intruded into the sedimentary layers. These need to be
shaded/ dashed and labeled (4 points).

One crosscutting layer needs to be a magma
intrusion like below (C) while the others can be a
straight intrusion like the one underneath the
dinosaur example (D).

One layer must have inclusions from another layer (see example above with inclusions
B falling into layer C).
Name: _________________________________________ D_______________P____
_____/50 points
Relative Dating Practicum
Due: February 27, 2014
4. There needs to be at least 1 fault lines. The fault lines must create an uplifting event that disrupts the
layers (similar to Q in the example). The layers must also be shifted (notice how B, W, and E are shifted)
(2 points). Remember to label the fault lines!
5. At least 2 of the sedimentary layers must be tilted (4 points). (See layers A and D Below)
6. The scenario must be neatly drawn using a ruler to create
straight lines with minimal eraser marks and COLORED (9
points).
7. Include 6 fossils throughout the layers but only 2 can be
index fossils (10 points). At the conclusion of your drawing,
identify the Index fossils on the side along the bottom or side of the image
 Note: have fun with the index fossils.
 Ex: if your favorite sport is baseball, make the various fossils baseball related items.
8. The picture should be of representative size to easily place all requirements on one 8.5”x11” sheet of
paper. The picture should also be easily viewable (large enough size). It should be at least the size of a
4”x6” index card (1 point).
9. At the conclusion of your drawing, list the layers from oldest to youngest along the bottom or side of
the image (4 points).
10. Since this is a test grade, I will not accept late assignments. The great part though is that you will
still be required to finish your assignment!