How Stratified
Rocks are
Formed
LESSON 20
Objectives:
Define and explain rocks.
Enumerate and describe the physical classifications of
rocks
Describe stratified rocks
Describe and illustrate the process of stratification.
Rocks
vNaturally-occurring solid
aggregates of one or more
minerals
vIts uses depend on the type of
minerals present, and how the
rocks are formed
Rocks
vMay be classified based on their
physical characteristics
Physical Classification:
1. Stratified- show distinct layers
that can be easily split
2. Unstratified- do not show any
sign of layering
Physical Classification
of Rocks
Stratified
Rocks
vMake up more than
9/10 of the Earth’s
surface
vMostly classified as
sedimentary rocks
based on their origin
Stratified Rocks
Stratification
A process wherein layers of
sediments are deposited horizontally,
and stacked vertically through time
Starts with the erosion
Factors aiding in stratification: water
and air
Stratified
Rocks
SUMMARY
Methods to
Determine the Age
of Stratified Rocks
Stratigraphy
vIs a study of the different
layers of stratified rocks
vLithostratigraphy
vBiostratigraphy
Stratigraphy
Lithostratigraphy
vFocused on identifying the
relationship of layers in
stratified rocks
vLaw of Superposition- any
undisturbed rock formations
with visible layers, the
youngest layer is at the top
while the oldest layer is at
the bottom
Biostratigraphy
vDetermining age of the
layers based on the fossil
evidences in each stratum
Principal of Faunal
Succession- every stratum
consists of fossils that were
deposited based on their
evolutionary existence.
Radiocarbon Dating
Uses fossil evidences with
radioactive elements to determine
age of stratified rocks
Requires radioactive elements
like Carbon-14, which is absorbed
by an organism and is
incorporated in their remains
Summary
Determining the Subdivisions of
Geologic Time
RELATIVE AND ABSOLUTE DATING
Relative and Absolute Dating
Developing the
Geologic Time
Scale
Stratigraphy
vStudies the order of the layering of rocks:
sedimentary, igneous, volcanic and
metamorphic
vIdentifies the debris in each layer and
provides an arbitrary sequence
Relative
Time Scale
vProvides the relative order
of events that corresponds
to the stratigraphic
sequence
vDetermines the events that
were possible causes of the
layering and the debris or
fossils found in the rocks
Relative Dating
Absolute Time Scale
Radiometric Dating
Uses the rates in which radioactive elements decay in
determining the age of rocks and fossils
Radiometric Dating
Geologic Time Scale
vOrder of events in Relative Dating
vClassified into two broad categories
under Eon:
v Precambrian-origin of Earth
v Phanerozoic- modern day events
vSpecific subdivisions are determined
using absolute ages from radiometric
dating
Summary
Summary
Marker Fossils used to Define
and Identify Subdivisions of
the Geologic Time Scale
The Geologic Time Scale
A chronological measurement tool describing the timing of
events that occurred throughout Earth’s history, and the
relationships between them
Divided into several time intervals, with the use of a marker
fossil.
Marker Fossils
Used to define periods of
geologic time.
Fossils of plants and/or
animals existed for only a
short period of time and are
the dominant life forms in a
particular geologic time
Marker Fossils
Distinctive
Widespread
Existed for a short period of
time
Use of Marker Fossils
to Identify Geologic
Time Periods
vGeologic time periods
have different
characteristics. Marker
fossils then speak for
those differences.
vThey are found in rock
layers or strata
Marker Fossils
Interpretation of
Earth’s History
from the Geologic
Time Scale
Geologic
Time Scale
vA classification system
that organizes the
changes that occurred
during the Earth’s
evolution
vInvolves the observation
of rock relationships and
the interpretation of
fossil records
Geologic Time Scale
Two Basic Principles:
1. Rocks are arranged in layers on a
horizontal manner
2. fossils are buried in rocks in a very
definite order
Geologic Time Scale
Eon
vLargest division of
the geologic time
scale
vPrecambrian and
Phanerozoic
Era
vHas 3 major subdivisions:
vPaleozoic
vMesozoic
vCenozoic
vSubdivisions pertain to
the evolution of animal life
on Earth
Period
More detailed category of events
Each era is divided into periods:
Paleozoic-7 periods
Mesozoic-3 periods
Cenozoic-2 periods
