Question

In which situations is the principle of cross-cutting relationships useful in determining relative age? Select three options.

Answer 1

In which situations is the principle of cross-cutting relationships useful in determining relative age?

Cross-cutting relationship is a principle of geology that states that "The geologic feature which cuts another is the younger of the two features."

In other words, The Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships states that rock formations that cut across other rocks must be younger than the rocks that they cut across.

Three options among which can be useful in determining relative age are:

     1.  The formation of an intrusion in the Earth’s surface.

       An intrusion is any formation of intrusive igneous rock. Deep-seated intrusions are recognized from the way they have burst through the    overlying strata.

    2. Igneous rock forms between sedimentary layers.

       This can definitely help in determining relative age because sedimentary rocks will be the older rock than igneous rock as igneous rock has formed between sedimentary rocks.

    3. Lava flows form on top of one another from several eruptions     over time.

        The recent lava eruption will be the younger structure among the lava eruptions over the time.

Written by knowledgematters.