STRATIFICATION

and
RELATIVE DATING
By: Group 2
Obejctives
• To understand how layers of rocks are
formed.
• To know what relative dating is.
• To understand the relation of stratification of
rocks on their age in terms of relative dating.
Table of contents

01 02 03 04

Formation of Stratigraphic Relative Dating Short Quiz

Rock Layers and Laws
Stratification
The Rock Cycle
Quick Review!
BASED ON YOUR KNOWLEDGE IN ROCK CYCLE, INDICATE IF THE
GIVEN PROCESS AND ROCK PROPERTIES LEAD TO THE FORMATION
OF IGNEOUS ROCK, SEDIMENTARY ROCK, OR METAMORPHIC ROCK.
1. Weathering and Erosion Sedimentary
2. Intense Heating and Pressure Metamorphic
3. Magma cools and solidifies Igneous
4. Melting of Rocks Metamorphic
5. Foliated Rocks Metamorphic
6. Cementation of Grains Sedimentary
7. Compaction of Sediments Sedimentary
8. Rocks contain fossils of animals and plants Sedimentary
9. Stratification of Rocks Sedimentary
10. Crystallization of Magma Igneous
01
Formation of
Rock Layers and
Stratification
Formation of
Rock Layers
Rocks Layers
Igneous, Metamorphic, and Sedimentary
rocks undergo the process of weathering
wherein this rocks are disintegrated due to
agents of weathering such as water, air,
wind, and ice.
Layered rocks may also result from
successive lava flow or from the formation
of extrusive igneous rocks. We study Earth's
history by studying the record of past events
that is preserved in the rocks. Most of the
rocks which are exposed at the surface of
the earth are called sedimentary rocks.
Sedimentary rocks are formed particle by
particle and bed by bed, and the layers are
piled one on top of the other. Thus, in any
sequence of layered rocks, a given bed must
be older than any bed on top of it.
What is
Stratification?
“The Current Geologic Processes, such as
Volcanism, Erosion, and Weathering are the
same processes that were at work in the past”
—James Hutton
Stratification
Stratification is the process
leading to the formation or
deposition of layers, especially
of the sedimentary rocks. The
layers range from several
millimeters to many meters in
thickness and vary greatly in
shape. Strata may range from
thin sheets that cover many
square kilometers to thick lens
like bodies that extend only a
few meters lateral.
Stratigraphy
Branch of geology that deals with the
description, correlation, and interpretation of
stratified sediments and stratified rocks, on
and within the earth.
Basically, it is the study of Rock Layers

Stratified Rocks
Known as rock derivatives
It is a product of sedimentary processes
that formed Layers
02
Stratigraphic
Laws
Law of Superposition
States that in any undisturbed sequence
of rocks deposited in layers, the
youngest layer is on top and the oldest
on bottom, each layer being younger
than the one beneath it and older than
the one above it. Because at any one
location, it indicates the relative ages of
rock layers and the fossils in them.
Law of Original Horizontality
First proposed by Danish geological
pioneer Nicholas Steno in the 17th
century. The law states that layers of
sediment were originally deposited
horizontally under the action of gravity.
It suggests that all rock layers are
originally laid down horizontally and can
later be deformed. This allows us to infer
that something must have happened to
the rocks to make them tilted. This
includes mountain building events,
earthquakes, and faulting.
Law of Cross-Cutting
Relationship
Stated that if a fault or other body of
rock cuts through another body of rock
then it must be younger in age than the
rock through which it cuts and displaces.
Fauld is younger than the rock.
Law of Inclusions
States that Rock Fragments in another
rock/ layers must be existing before
being part of the rock. A rock mass that
contains pieces of rocks called
inclusions are younger than the other
rock masses.
Stated that if a rock body (Rock B) contained
fragments of another rock body (Rock A), it
must be younger than the fragments of rock
it contained. The intruding rock (Rock A) must
have been the first to provide the fragments.
Law of Faunal Succession
First recognized by William Smith.
States that different strata
contains particular assemblage of
fossils by which rocks may be
identified and correlated over
long distances.
Law of Cross-Cutting
Relationship
Stated that if a fault or other body of
rock cuts through another body of rock
then it must be younger in age than the
rock through which it cuts and displaces.
Fauld is younger than the rock.
Law of Lateral Continuity
or Law of Unconformities
Suggests that all rock layers are laterally
continuous and may be broken up or
displaced by later events.
Describes a layer of rock that have been
deformed or eroded before another layer is
deposited, resulting in rock layer
mismatching.
An unconformity represents a long period
during which deposition stopped, erosion
removed previously formed rocks, and then
deposition resumed.
3 Types of Unconformities
Disconformity Angular Unconformity Non-conformity
Originates from horizontal It originates from It originates between
sedimentary rock layers that horizontally parallel strata of sedimentary rocks,
is lifted and the top layer sedimentary rock that are metamorphic rocks, or igneous
eroded. New sediments are deposited on tilted and rock when sedimentary rick lies
deposited when they are eroded layers. It produced an above and was deposited on
submerged beneath a angular discordance with the pre-existing and eroded
freshwater or saltwater. underlying horizontal layers. metamorphic or igneous rock.
03
Relative Dating
Relative Dating
It tells us the sequence in which
events occurred, not how long ago
they occurred. It is in chronological
order or relational.
Subdivisions of the Earth's geology in
a specific order based upon relative
age relationships most commonly in
vertical/stratigraphic position. These
subdivisions are given names, most
of which can be recognized globally,
usually on the basis of fossils.
Major Methods
of Relative Dating
Stratigraphy
The oldest dating method which
studies the successive placement of
layers. It is based on the concept that
the lowest layer is the oldest and the
topmost layer is the youngest.

Biostratigraphy
An extended version of stratigraphy
where the faunal deposits are used to
establish dating. Faunal deposits
include remains and fossils of dead
animals.
Cross Dating
This method compares the age of
remains or fossils found in a layer
with the ones found in other layers.
The Comparison helps establish the
relative age of these remains.

Fluorine Dating
Bones from fossils absorb fluorine
from the groundwater. The amount of
fluorine absorbed indicates how long
the fossil has been buried in the
sediments.
Examples
As a review, use the Stratigraphic
laws and Method or Relative
Dating that are discussed, in
arranging examples of rock layers
from YOUNGEST to OLDEST.
A
B

C
D
Review and
Conclusions
04
Short Quiz
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Prepare ¼ sheet of yellow paper.
2. Black ballpen and yellow paper is allowed at your
table.
3. First 10 items are identification.
4. Last 5 items are labeling.
5. The short quiz will last at about 10 minutes only.
6. Students that answered earlier will get only 1
additional point for the quiz.
Identification
1. Branch of geology that deals
with the description,
correlation, and interpretation
of stratified sediments and
stratified rocks, on and within
the earth.
2. Process leading to the
formation or deposition of
layers, especially of the
sedimentary rocks.
3. Stated that a fault is
younger than the rock.
4. States that different
strata contains particular
assemblage of fossils by
which rocks may be
identified and correlated
over long distances.
5. Law of Faunal
Succession was first
recognized by whom?
6. What are the 3 types of
Unconformities
7. Other term for Law
of Unconformities
8. A relative dating method
wherein the amount of fluorine
absorbed by the fossils
indicates how long the fossil
has been buried in the
sediments.
9. A process wherein rocks are
disintegrated due to its agents
such as water, air, wind, and
ice.
10. The oldest dating method
which studies the successive
placement of layers.
LABELING
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Answers
1. Stratigraphy 11. B C A
2. Stratification 12. A D C B E
3. Law of Cross-Cutting Relationship 13. B A D E C
4. Lay of Faunal Succession 14. E I D H B F A C G
5. William Smith 15. H G F E M A D C B
6. Disconformity Angular Unconformity
and Non-conformity
7. Law of Lateral Continuity
8. Fluorine Dating
9. Weathering
10. Stratigraphy
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
Prepared by Group 2:
Marcus Dwayne Laoit
Nhica Mae Calma
Valerie Olarte
Aubrey Dela Rosa
Lindsay Servando
Rhaniel Hernandez
Gen Gutierrez
Clarisse Ulpindo
Ashley Santillan