Relative Dating Worksheets 1
NAME:____________________ HR: ___
**Look at the diagram below. Put the layers in order from first (oldest) to last (youngest).
Also include any events. such as when erosion, intrusions, faults, &/or folding happened.
ON TOP OF THAT,
**List the law/principle that explains the order of occurrence/how you know it is that old
(i.e.— Law of Superposition, Cross-Cutting Relations, or Horizontality )
**Label where the ANTICLINE and the SYNCLINE are, as well.
Erosion
Folding
Event or
Layer
Law (Superposition, Horizontality, Cross-Cutting Relations)
14._________ __________________________________________________ (youngest)
13._________ __________________________________________________
12. _________ __________________________________________________
11. _________ __________________________________________________
10. _________ __________________________________________________
9. _________ __________________________________________________
8. __________ __________________________________________________
7. __________ __________________________________________________
6. ___________ _________________________________________________
5. __________ __________________________________________________
4. __________ __________________________________________________
3. __________ __________________________________________________
2. __________ __________________________________________________
1. __________ __________________________________________________ (oldest)
**Look at the diagram below. Put the layers in order from first (oldest) to last (youngest).
Also include any events. such as when erosion, intrusions, faults, &/or folding happened.
ON TOP OF THAT,
**List the law/principle that explains the order of occurrence/how you know it is that old
(i.e.— Law of Superposition, Cross-Cutting Relations, or Horizontality )
Still layer E
Note: The various sedimentary layers above are labeled as B, E, K and W. The timing of
the fault (break) in the rocks ( labeled Q ) must be included in the sequence of events.
Event or
Layer
Law (Superposition, Horizontality, Cross-Cutting Relations)
5. __________ __________________________________________________
4. __________ __________________________________________________
3. __________ __________________________________________________
2. __________ __________________________________________________
1. __________ __________________________________________________ (oldest)
Rule of Thumb:
If you are considering where to put a layer into the sequence = Law of Superposition
When you are considering where an event belongs in the mix, then,
-if it has to do with the actions of folding, tilting, or erosion = Law of Horizontality
-if it has to do with the action of faulting or intrusions = Law of Cross-Cutting Relations
**Look at the diagram below. Put the layers in order from first (oldest) to last (youngest).
Also include any events. such as when erosion, intrusions, faults, &/or folding happened.
ON TOP OF THAT,
**List the law/principle that explains the order of occurrence/how you know it is that old
(i.e.— Law of Superposition, Cross-Cutting Relations, or Horizontality )
Note: The two intrusions above are labeled as X and Z; the surrounding rock is labeled D.
Event or
Layer
Law (Superposition, Horizontality, Cross-Cutting Relations)
5. __________ __________________________________________________
4. __________ __________________________________________________
3. __________ __________________________________________________
2. __________ __________________________________________________
1. __________ __________________________________________________ (oldest)