UNIT 1: Earth's History

Question 1

uniformitarinism (pg 11)

Answer 1

states that geologic processes that occur today are similar to those that have occured in the past

Question 2

absolute age (pg 11)

Answer 2

the actual age of the events

Question 3

relative age (pg 13)

Answer 3

the age of rocks and geologic features compared with other rocks and features nearby

Question 4

superposition (pg 18)

Answer 4

the principle that in undisturbed rock layers, the oldest rocks are on the bottom

Question 5

original horizontality (pg 18)

Answer 5

most rock-forming materials are deposited in horizontal layers

Question 6

Lateral continuity (pg 18)

Answer 6

the principle that sediments are deposited in large, continuous sheets in all lateral directions

Question 7

Inclusions (pg 18)

Answer 7

if one rock contains pieces of another rock, the rock containing the pieces is younger than the pieces

Question 8

Cross-cutting relationships (pg 18)

Answer 8

if one geologic feature cuts across another feature, the feature that it cuts across is older

Question 9

fossils

Answer 9

the remains or traces of ancient living things