TOPIC 1 – Geological Time and Geological Principles
Introduction
•
Relative geological time scale – a product of placing rocks in
their proper sequence of formation to create a composite record
of geological events
•
Radiometric age dating allowed geologists to determine absolute
ages (yielded an absolute geological time scale)
Important Principles
•
Principle of superposition – unless turned upside down, the
oldest rocks are at the bottom and get progressively younger
•
Principle of original horizontality – particles which settle under
the influence of gravity settle to more nearly horizontal layers
•
Principle of original lateral continuity – strata extend in all
directions until they thing against the edges of the basin in
which they have accumulated
•
Principle of cross-cutting relationships – disturbed rocks or
strata are older than those rocks which disturb them or cut
through them
•
Principle of fossil succession – fossil species succeed one another
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- Summer '08
- Ciesielski
- Geologic Time Scale, Stratigraphy, geological time, Radiometric Age, Relative Geological Time
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