STRATIFICATION OF ROCKS

AND HOW IT IS FORMED

Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
describe how layers of rocks (stratified rocks) are
formed,
describe the different methods (relative and absolute
dating) to determine the age of stratified rocks, and
explain how relative and absolute dating were used to
determine the subdivisions of geologic time.
How can we determine the age of the Earth?
How Layers of Rocks Are Formed
Most rocks are sedimentary rocks. They are formed from older rocks
that have been broken down by water or wind. The older rocks
become sedimentary particles such as gravel, sand, and mud. These
particles can also bury dead plants and animals. As time goes by, the
particles accumulate, and those that are at the bottom of the pile
become rocks. Gravel becomes conglomerate; sand
becomes sandstone; and mud becomes shale or mudstone. The
animals or plants buried with them become fossils. These series of
events form the different layers of rocks.
METHODS TO DETERMINE THE AGE OF
STRATIFIED ROCKS
There are two methods of determining the ages of rocks:
relative dating and absolute dating.
Relative dating is a method of arranging geological
events based on the rock sequence.
Absolute dating is a method that gives an actual date of
the rock or period of an event.
Relative Dating
Relative dating cannot provide actual numerical dates of rocks. It
only tells that one rock is older than the other but does not tell how
old each of the rock is.
In the early mid-1600’s, a Danish scientist, Nicholas Steno, studied
the relative positions of sedimentary rocks. He discovered that they
settle based on their relative weight or size in a fluid. The largest or
heaviest particles settle first, and the smallest or the lightest
particles settle last. Any slight changes in the particle size or
composition may result in the formation of layers called beds.
Layering or bedding is a distinct quality of sedimentary rocks. The
layered rocks are also called strata.
Principles of Relative Dating
The law of superposition states
that, in any sequence of layered
sedimentary rocks, the top layer is
younger than the bottom layer. It
is important in the interpretation
of the Earth's history because it
indicates the relative age of the
rock layers and fossils.
The law of original
horizontality states that most
sediments were originally laid
down horizontally. However, many
layered rocks are no longer
horizontal. Based on the law of
original horizontality, the rocks
that were tilted may be due to
later events such as tilting
episodes of mountain building.
The law of lateral
continuity states that rock
layers extend laterally or
out to the sides. These
layers may cover broad
surfaces. Erosion may
have worn away some
parts of the rock, but the
layers on either side of the
eroded areas still match.
The law of cross-
cutting
relationship states
that fault lines and
igneous rocks are
younger features
that cut through
older features of
rocks.
Absolute Dating
Absolute dating or radiometric dating is a
method used to determine the age of rocks by
measuring its radioactive decay. A radioactive
isotope in the rock decays into a stable
daughter isotope. The decay occurs at a
predictable rate, so the age of the sample
could be determined.
Examples
Radiocarbon dating for organic remains could date up to 60 000 years.
K-Ar dating and U-Pb dating for volcanic rocks could date up to five
billion years.
The Geologic Time Scale
The geologic time scale shows the
geologic time intervals based on the
geologic rock records, which describe the
relationships between the events that
happened throughout the Earth’s history.
The sequence of events is based on the
radiometric dating of igneous rocks
associated with the fossil-bearing
sedimentary rocks.
A geologic time scale is revised as more
fossil-bearing sedimentary rocks are
dated. It is calibrated by integrating
results from relative and absolute dating.
Below is an example of how geologic time
scale is calibrated.
How the Geologic Time Scale is Calibrated
Raw data composed of strata or layers are reviewed.
The unique succession of events in the layers is recognized based
on the laws of relative dating leading to a chronological order of
events.
Numerical or absolute age of the events is given using absolute
dating or radiometric methods. Absolute dating provides the age
for the ash layers while relative dating provides at least six strata
with relative ages – first and last occurrences of the fossils and the
volcanic eruption events.
Key Points
Strata or the different layers of rocks are formed when the
sediments at the bottom of the pile become rocks.
Relative dating is a method of arranging geological events based
on the rock sequence.
Absolute dating is a method that gives an actual date of the rock
or period of an event.
Geologic time scale shows the geologic time intervals based on
the geologic rock records.
The integration of relative and absolute dating results to a
calibrated geological time scale.
 Question 1
It is a method of dating rocks that gives an actual time.
carbon dating2geologic time scale4relative dating
carbon dating2geologic time scale4relative dating

QUIZ