Dating Rocks - Study Guide
Geologic time scale
- Precambrian (>543 my),
Paleozoic (>248 my), Mesozoic (>65 my),
Cenozoic
Relative
dating: layer sequence, superposition, original horizontality, lateral
continuity, cross-cutting relationships, unconformities, fossils
Absolute dating - radiometric dating: radioactive decay
Fossils - fossil succession: Invertebrates (beginning of Paleozoic), fish (middle Paleozoic), amphibians (late-middle Paleozoic), reptiles (late Paleozoic, but dominant in Mesozoic), Mammals (Mesozoic but dominant in Cenozoic)
Explain the difference
between relative and absolute dating. Describe the ways by which relative ages
are determined.
Be able to determine
the sequence of events from a block diagram.
Explain how fossil succession can be used to determine the approximate age of a rock. Know the times at which each major group of animals appeared on the planet.