MELC:Describe the different methods TERMS TO KNOW:

(relative and absolute dating) of

determining the age of stratified rocks. ➢ STRATIGRAPHY- The study of
(S11ES-IIh-i-36) rock layers and layering
➢ FOSSILS- remains or traces of
Objectives: ancient organisms preserved in
1. define relative and absolute dating rock layers
2. analyze the different methods ➢ RELATIVE DATING- method of
S experimentally proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold
(relative andC.absolute
Urey dating) used determining the relative order of
in determining the age of stratified rock
rocks/fossils; and ➢ ABSOLUTE DATING- method
3. value the importance of scientific used to determine the exact age
developments in dating rock of a rock or fossil
materials and discoveries of events ➢ HALF-LIFE- the time it takes for
both in the past and at present half of the radioactive atoms in a
PAGE 01

sample to decay
 In the Kalinga province, Archaeologists have discovered remains of
prehistoric humans, along with a butchered rhinoceros. But what’s
surprising was they estimated their existence to be 700,000 years ago..

S experimentally proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C.

Urey
PAGE 03
 1.How do you think the archaeologists figured out that the
remains are 700,000 years old?

S experimentally proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C.

Urey

2.What
Believe clues from
it or not, the environment
there or rockand
are both traditional, layers around the
technological
PAGE 05

remains could help the

ways of determining thearchaeologists
age of ROCKS determine their age?
and FOSSILS.
 A. RELATIVE DATING (chronostratic)
• It determine if an object/event is
younger or older than another
object/event from history.

• Relative dating is qualitative

which helps archaeologists
determine
S needed the relative
for those chemical age
reactions of totally
there the was
remains.
experimentally proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C.
Urey
• It is less specific than absolute
dating and it is comparatively
Major Methods of Relative Dating:
less expensive and time-efficient.
• Stratigraphy
• Biostratigraphy
• It works best for sedimentary
• Cross dating
rocks having layered
• Fluorine dating
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arrangement of sediments.
 1. STRATIGRAPHY METHOD
• STRATIGRAPHY is a branch of
geology that deals with the study
of rock layers (strata).

• It is a term used by archaeologists

and geologists to refer to the
layers
S needed of the
for those earthreactions
chemical that havetherebuilt
totally was
experimentally
up overproved
time.byItStanley L. Millerby
is defined andthe
Harold C.
Urey
depositing of strata, one on top
of the other, creating the ground
we walk on today.

• It involves observing the vertical

arrangement of different layers,
their composition and any
PAGE 07

associated artifacts or fossils.

 PRINCIPLES/LAWS OF
STRATIGRAPHY
• LAW OF SUPERPOSITION

• LAW OF ORIGINAL
HORIZONTALITY

• LAW
S needed OF CROSS-CUTTING
for those chemical reactions there totally was
experimentally proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C.
RELATIONSHIPS
Urey

• LAW OF INCLUSIONS

• LAW OF UNCOMFORMITIES

• LAW OF FAUNAL SUCCESSIONS

PAGE 08
 LAW OF SUPERPOSITION LAW OF ORIGINAL
HORIZONTALITY

S needed for those chemical reactions there totally was

experimentally proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C.
Urey

Nicolaus Steno proposed that each Layers of sediment are generally

rock layer is younger than the one deposited in HORIZONTAL position.
below it. This applies to landforms
that are not affected by major
PAGE 9

movements.
 LAW OF CROSS-CUTTING LAW OF INCLUSIONS
RELATIONSHIPS

S needed for those chemical reactions there totally was

experimentally proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C.
Urey

VERTICAL CUTS are always Any rock fragment included in

YOUNGER than the horizontal another rock must be older than the
layers they affected rock it is found in.
PAGE 10
Law of Unconformities
An unconformity is a gap in
the rock record caused by
erosion or lack of deposition
over time.
There are three types of
unconformity:
1. Disconformity
2. Angular Unconformity
3. Nonconformity
Types of unconformity: Disconformity
What happens:
• Sedimentary layers form
normally.
• Then, erosion or no deposition
happens for a long time,
creating a gap.
• Later, new sedimentary layers
are deposited on top.
Results:
The layers above and below look flat and parallel, but some
time is missing in between.
Types of unconformity: Angular Unconformity
What happens:
• Rock layers are deposited
normally.
• Then they are tilted or folded by
tectonic forces.
• Erosion removes the tops of these
tilted layers.
• Later, new flat layers are
deposited on top.
Results:
You see slanted layers below and flat layers above—showing a big
change happened in between.
Types of unconformity: Nonconformity
What happens:
• Igneous or metamorphic rocks
form deep underground.
• These rocks are exposed at the
surface by erosion.
• Later, sedimentary layers are
deposited on top of them.

Results:
Sedimentary rock lies directly on much older, harder rock—
showing a long gap in geologic time.
Law of Faunal Succession

Fossils appear in a specific

vertical order. Older fossils are
found in lower layers, younger
ones above.
Index fossils
is also known as guide fossils
or indicator fossils
provide a time-specific
marker
fossils from species that were
widespread but only existed
for a short period
use to identify and match
the age of rock layers in
different locations, helping to
establish a timeline and
correlation between those
layers
 How to match correlated rock layers?
Matching of rock layers may be determined by merely looking at its
features.

These three columns represent rock layers from three separate locations or outcrops.
Some columns may be missing layers due to erosion. No single column represents a
complete record.
 How to match correlated rock layers?
Find one or more layers present in all columns that can be matched like a
puzzle.
After matching correlated rock layers, determine the relative age of each layer
according to the law of superposition.
After matching correlated rock layers, determine the relative age of each layer
according to the law of superposition.

Youngest Rock 8

Same Age 6

Same Age 5

Same Age 4

Same Age 3

2 Those rock layers having the

same composition, textures,
and fossil content were
Oldest Rock 1 considered as rock layers with
the same age.
After matching correlated rock layers, determine the relative age of each layer
according to the law of superposition.

Youngest Rock 8

Same Age 6

Same Age 5

Same Age 4

Same Age 3

2 Those rock layers having the

same composition, textures,
and fossil content were
Oldest Rock 1 considered as rock layers with
the same age.
Guide Questions
5. Imagine you're a paleontologist exploring
rock layers in a national park. You find
different fossils in each layer. How do
these fossils help you determine which
rock layers are oldest and which are
youngest? What do these findings reveal
about the area's geological history and
the types of organisms that lived there?
 LET’S TRY!
1. Arrange the rock layers from OLDEST to YOUNGEST.

• mass proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C. Urey

needed for those chemical reactions there totally was experimentally
PAGE 24
 LET’S TRY!
2. Arrange the rock layers from OLDEST to YOUNGEST.

• mass proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C. Urey

needed for those chemical reactions there totally was experimentally
PAGE 25
 LET’S TRY!
3. Arrange the rock layers from OLDEST to YOUNGEST.

• mass proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C. Urey

needed for those chemical reactions there totally was experimentally
PAGE 26
 LET’S TRY!
4. Arrange the rock layers from OLDEST to YOUNGEST.

• mass proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C. Urey

needed for those chemical reactions there totally was experimentally
PAGE 27
 3. CROSS DATING METHOD 4. FLUORINE DATING METHOD

S needed for those chemical reactions there totally was

experimentally proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C.
Urey

It estimates the age of fossilized bones

It’s a technique that uses consistent
by comparing their fluorine content,
patterns in soil layers (stratigraphy)
which increases over time as bones
to compare ages between different
absorb it from groundwater. It’s useful
parts of a site or between different
for comparing the relative ages of
sites, based on objects or layers
bones from the same site but doesn’t
PAGE 11

with known ages.

provide exact dates.
 But… what about these? How can you determine their
specific age?

S experimentally proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C.

Urey

When the layers of rocks are not accurate enough for

PAGE 12

archaeologist, they turn to RADIOMETRIC DATING.

B. ABSOLUTE DATING (chronometric)
• It determines the age of
rock/object using radiometric
techniques.

• It is quantitative method which

helps determine the exact age of
the for
S needed remains.
those chemical reactions there totally was
experimentally proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C.
• It is more specific Urey than relative
dating.
Major Methods of Absolute Dating:
• It is more expensive and time- • Radiometric Dating
consuming. • Amino acid Dating
• Dendrochronology
• It works best for igneous and • Thermoluminescence
PAGE 13

metamorphic rocks.
 1. RADIOMETRIC DATING

S needed for those chemical reactions there totally was

experimentally proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C.
Urey

Releasing of particles and energy of Estimating accurately the age of

an ATOM that is UNSTABLE. We can rock/fossil by comparing the
use the concept of radioactivity on amounts of radioactive carbon
estimating the age of rocks/fossil by particles.
PAGE 14

knowing how much radiation has

occurred.
 RADIOACTIVITY FOR EXAMPLE:

S needed for those chemical reactions there totally was

experimentally proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C.
Urey
PAGE 15
 2. AMINO ACID DATING
It estimates the age of fossils or
sediment by measuring changes in
amino acids. When an organism
dies, the amino acids in its tissues
slowly change from one form (L-
form) to another (D-form) over time,
a process
S needed called
for those racemization.
chemical reactions there totally was
experimentally proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C.
By comparing the Ureyratio of these
forms, scientists can estimate how
long it’s been since the organism
died. This method is useful for
dating bones, shells, and teeth
and works best for fossils that are
up to several hundred thousand
PAGE 17

years old.
 3. DENDROCHRONOLOGY

Dendrochronology, also known as

tree-ring dating, is a method used
to determine the age of trees and
wooden objects by analyzing the
pattern of growth rings in their
trunks.
S needed for those chemical reactions there totally was
experimentally proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C.
Each year, a tree adds a new ring,
Urey
and the thickness of these rings
can vary depending on
environmental factors such as
rainfall, temperature, and climate
conditions. By counting these rings,
scientists can estimate the age of
the tree.
PAGE 19
 4. THERMOLUMINESCENCE

It estimates the age of materials

like pottery, minerals, or sediments
by measuring the light emitted
when they are heated. This light
comes from electrons trapped in
the material's crystal structure due
S needed for those chemical
to radiation exposure.reactions there totally was
experimentally proved by Stanley L. Miller and Harold C.
Urey
The more light released, the older
the object. It’s useful for dating
items last heated or exposed to
sunlight, with applications in
archaeology and geology, and can
date objects up to about 500,000
years old.
PAGE 21
 APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

Imagine you are a geologist You are helping to create a

examining rock layers in a canyon. museum exhibit showcasing
One of the rock layers contains a significant geological events in
fossil of a marine organism, but the Earth's history. One of the
canyon is hundreds of miles from highlights is the dating of a
the ocean. meteorite that impacted Earth
S needed for those chemical reactions there totally was millions of years ago.
1. How could
experimentally proved you use L.relative
by Stanley Miller and Harold C. Urey
dating to explain how this How would you explain the
fossil ended up in the area? scientific methods used to
2. How might absolute dating date the meteorite, and why is
help you determine when this this information crucial for
marine organism lived and understanding the history of life
when the rock layers formed? on our planet?
PAGE 22
 WRITTEN TASK:

Direction: Create a Venn diagram illustrating the differences between absolute

and relative dating methods for stratified rocks. Include description of each
method, specific techniques used, and examples of rocks that are most suitable
for each method.

S needed for those chemical reactions there totally was experimentally proved by Stanley L.
Miller and Harold C. Urey
PAGE 23
 HOME-BASED ACTIVITY:
Objective: Learn how to identify events that happened in a specific area by
looking at the rock layers.

Choose an area where rock layers are visible. Observe their color, texture, thickness,
and any fossils present (if possible). Use geological maps or images to estimate the
age of each layer. Remember that deeper layers are generally older. Based on these
details, consider what events, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, or erosion, may
have occurred. Draw a simple visual representation to illustrate the layers and events.
S needed for those
Then, writechemical
a briefreactions
paragraphthere(10-15
totally was experimentally
sentences) proved bywhy
explaining Stanley L.
understanding rock
Miller and Harold C. Urey
layers is important for learning about Earth’s history.
PAGE 24
 RUBRIC: 20points

Criteria 1 - Needs Improvement 2 - Satisfactory 3 - Good 4 - Excellent Points

Limited or unclear Clear observations Thorough observations

Observation of Rock Basic observations with
observations; did not including color, texture, with insightful details /4
Layers minimal detail.
note key features. and fossils. about each layer.

Failed to identify Clearly identified and

Relevant geological
Identification of geological events or Identified events but well-explained
events identified with /4
Events provided irrelevant lacked clarity. geological events with
some explanation.
events. strong reasoning.
S needed for those chemical reactions there totally was experimentally proved by Stanley L.
Clear and accurate Excellent and detailed
Miller
No visual and Harold
representation
Basic C. Urey
visual
visual representation visual representation
Visual Representation representation with /4
or unclear depiction. illustrating rock layers that enhances
limited clarity.
and events. understanding.
Clear summary Insightful and well-
Incomplete or unclear
Basic summary with discussing the written summary
summary; lacks
Summary Paragraph limited insights on importance of exploring the /4
understanding of
importance. understanding rock significance of rock
importance.
layers. layers in Earth’s history.

Failed to apply key Accurate application of

Applied some geological Applied relevant
Application of geological principles geological principles,
principles but with geological principles with /4
Geological Principles (e.g., superposition, demonstrating clear
significant errors. minor inaccuracies.
PAGE 25

original horizontality). understanding.

LIST OF REFERENCES:

• DEPED Earth Science Module for STEM

• https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowl
edge/library/dating-rocks-and-fossils-
using-geologic-methods-107924044/

Prepared by: Ms. Amada