Download Diagram 1

Name _____________________________________________________ Date: _____________ Period _____
Relative Ages of Rocks Quiz
In the blank at the left, write the term that completes each statement.
uniformitarianism
1. The processes that are changing the earth today are the same as they were in the past.
This is called_____.
superposition
2. The law of _____ states that an older rock layer and things buried in it are underneath
young layers unless the layers have been disturbed.
unconformities
4. Some rock layer may have a break in the record they are called_____.
weathering & erosion 5. What could cause a rock layer to be missing?
Look at the cross-sectional view of the rock layers shown in the diagram below. For each question, decide
which of the two named materials is older. Assume the layers have not been overturned. Write the name of the
older material on the line provided.
Brown sandstone
6. tan sandstone and brown sandstone
Brown sandstone
7. brown sandstone and gray limestone
Gabbro dike
8. gabbro dike and brown sandstone
Gray shale
9. gabbro dike and gray shale
Trilobite fossil
10. snail fossil and trilobite fossil
Snail fossil
11. snail fossil and dinosaur bone
Green shale
12. snail fossil and green shale
Dinosaur bone
13. dinosaur bone and red sandstone
Gray limestone
14. red sandstone and gray limestone
Tan sandstone
15. tan limestone and tan sandstone
Gray limestone
16. tan limestone and gray limestone
Diagram 1
Complete the following statement.
17. The type of unconformity shown in the diagram is a(n) angular unconformity.
Name _____________________________________________________ Date: _____________ Period _____
In the blank at the left, write the letter of the term or phrase that best completes each statement.
B
18. In layers of undisturbed sedimentary rock, the oldest rocks are on the _____.
a. top b. bottom c. middle
A
19. Sediments deposited in layers form _____ rocks.
a. sedimentary
b. igneous c. metamorphic
A
20. The statement that old rocks are on the bottom in layers of undisturbed rock is
called the _____.
a. law of superposition
b. tectonic theory c. uniformitarianism
B
21. Sometimes layers of rock are shifted or folded by forces generated by _____.
a. superposition
b. earthquakes c. volcanoes
A
22. Determining the age of rocks by examining their position in a layer is
called _____.
a. relative age dating
b. absolute age dating c. earthquake dating
B
23. Gaps in rock layers are called _____.
a. faults
b. unconformities
c. holes
A
24. The type of unconformity in which part of the rock layer is missing could be caused by _________.
a. weathering and erosion
b. extrusions
B
25. The layers of rock are called______.
a. Eras b. strata c. minerals
C
A
27. Sometimes rock layers are visible because they have been exposed by _____
cutting through them.
a.roads
b. streams
c. both a and b
28. Some unconformities are the result of _____.
a. erosion
b. aliens
29. Number the rock layers according to their relative ages.
Label the oldest rock type #1.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
H.
__7__
__5__
__3__
__2__
__1__
__4__
__6__
(adapted from Helgeson)
Diagram 2