Environmental Science Lab 2

9

Week 2 iLab Report

SCI230

iLab Title: Relative & Absolute Dating

Lab Report

Your Name

SCI230, Professor’s Name

Current Date

Lab 2: Relative & Absolute Dating

1a. Principle of Lateral Continuity: We’ve established that we can correlate layers across distances, but is it also possible to correlate rock units above and below a designated unit? Why, or Why not?

1b. Correlation Using Nonconformity: Would you expect to find the Tapeats Sandstone on top of the Great Unconformity in all places in the Grand Canyon? Why, or why not?

1c. Faulting and Relative Dating: Is the fault older or younger than the stream? Why?

1d. Trace Fossils—Reptile Tracks: How can such trace fossils help a geologist reconstruct ancient environments?

1e. Body Fossils—Brachiopods: If you were to reconstruct an ancient sedimentary environment, would you rather study one fossil type or several different ones? Why?

Exercises in Relative Dating

· Questions 1 through 15b, pages 142–144.

· Question 22h and 22i, page 154.

· Questions 23–26, pages 155–156.

Question 22 H & I