GLY1102 Topic 1
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
Radiometric age dating, the basis of the establishment of the absolute geologic time scale, was not possible until after the discovery of radioactivity in the 20th century.
answer
False
question
Disturbed rocks or strata are _____ those rocks that disturb them or cut through them.
answer
Older than
question
A horizon between rocks or sediments with distinctly different ages is called a _____.
answer
Hiatus
question
______ refers to the number of protons of an atom.
answer
Atomic number
question
______ is the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
answer
Atomic mass
question
Particles that settle under the influence of gravity settle to more nearly vertical layers.
answer
False
question
This type of unconformity separates horizontal sedimentary rocks above and below the unconformity.
answer
Disconformity
question
An isotope is a species of the same element with the same mass and different atomic number.
answer
False
question
Radioactive decay is the spontaneous nuclear disintegration of isotopes at ______ rates.
answer
Constant
question
The ______ is a product of placing rocks in their proper sequence of formation to create a composite record of geologic events.
answer
Relative geologic time scale
question
The principle which states that \"in layered rocks (or strata) the oldest rocks are at the bottom and the younger layers are on top\" is the principle of ______.
answer
Superposition
question
The basic rock unit defined on the basis of distinctive and easily recognized characteristics is a ______.
answer
Formation
question
The principle which states that \"strata extend in all directions until they thin against edges of the basins they accumulated in\" is the principle of _____.
answer
Original lateral continuity
question
Which of the following is the oldest?
answer
Lower Cretaceous
question
Radiometric age dating techniques were used to establish the relative geologic time scale.
answer
False
question
Based upon physical characteristic alone (not fossil characteristics), which type of hiatus would be most difficult to identify?
answer
Disconformity
question
The original continuity of strata in a basin can be broken. A river can carve a canyon into a basin leaving once continuous layers stranded on opposite sides of the canyon. According to the principle of lateral continuity, these opposite sides of the valley were once laterally continuous.
answer
True
