Geological Principles and Dating Methods Quiz

Test your knowledge on principles of stratigraphy and dating methods with this quiz. Explore concepts like radioactive decay, tree rings, and fossil dating.

#1

Which principle states that in an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rock layers, the oldest rocks are at the bottom?

Law of Superposition
Law of Cross-Cutting Relationships
Law of Original Horizontality
Principle of Faunal Succession
#2

What method of dating relies on the steady decay of radioactive isotopes?

Relative dating
Radiocarbon dating
Uranium-lead dating
Potassium-argon dating
#3

What is the term for the time it takes for half of the radioactive isotopes in a sample to decay?

Half-life
Decay time
Radiometric age
Radioactive period
#4

In which type of rock would you typically find fossils?

Igneous
Metamorphic
Sedimentary
Volcanic
#5

What is the age of a rock layer compared to the ages of other rock layers called?

Absolute age
Relative age
Geological age
Radiometric age
#6

Which dating method is most appropriate for dating rocks millions to billions of years old?

Radiocarbon dating
Uranium-lead dating
Potassium-argon dating
Dendrochronology
#7

What is the principle that states that geological processes observed today have operated similarly in the past?

Principle of Uniformitarianism
Principle of Original Horizontality
Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships
Principle of Inclusions
#8

Which principle states that an igneous intrusion or fault must be younger than the rocks it intrudes or cuts through?

Law of Superposition
Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships
Principle of Inclusions
Law of Original Horizontality
#9

Which dating method is suitable for determining the age of ancient pottery?

Radiocarbon dating
Uranium-lead dating
Thermoluminescence dating
Dendrochronology
#10

Which dating method is often used to date volcanic ash layers within sedimentary rock sequences?

Radiocarbon dating
Potassium-argon dating
Uranium-lead dating
Dendrochronology
#11

What dating method involves comparing the pattern of tree rings in archaeological wood samples?

Radiocarbon dating
Dendrochronology
Potassium-argon dating
Uranium-lead dating
#12

Which dating method relies on the observation of the tracks left by the spontaneous fission of uranium-238 in minerals?

Dendrochronology
Uranium-series dating
Fission track dating
Radiocarbon dating
#13

Which dating method relies on the measurement of the decay of radioactive isotopes of uranium and thorium to lead isotopes?

Radiocarbon dating
Potassium-argon dating
Uranium-series dating
Dendrochronology

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