SEVEN PRINCIPLES Of GEOLOGY 1. UNIFORMITARIANISM: -The processes that shape the Earth today are the same processes that occurred in the geologic past “The present is the key to the past”

2. ORIGINAL HORIZONTALITY -Sedimentary rock layers are ALWAYS laid down in horizontal layers, until some other process alters them

Original Horizontality sedimentary rocks form in horizontal layers parallel to Earth’s surface and will remain that way unless disturbed SILT SAND CLAY SILT CLAY EARTH'S SURFACE

Horizontal Layers of the Grand Canyon

3. SUPERPOSITION -The bottom layer of horizontal sedimentary rock layers is always the oldest, UNLESS the layers have been overturned or have had older rock formed on top of it *The lower layers must first be in place before the next layer can be deposited

YOUNGEST OLDEST

LAW OF SUPERPOSITION For undisturbed rocks, the oldest layer is on the bottom and the youngest is on top Supai is oldest – WHY?

Law of Superposition Top = youngest layer In undisturbed sedimentary rock or lava flows In undisturbed sedimentary rock or lava flows: Top = youngest layer Bottom = oldest layer

Unconformity Gaps or missing layers in the rock record due to erosion Angular unconformity

Unconformities: 3 Types 1 2 3

Igneous Extrusions & Intrusions When molten rock flows on the Earth’s surface forming an igneous rock

-Causes surrounding layers to metamorphose (Contact metamorphism) Intrusion: Occurs when magma squeezes between layers of pre-existing rock beneath the Earth’s surface -Causes surrounding layers to metamorphose (Contact metamorphism)

Igneous Intrusions

4. Cross-Cutting Relationships Igneous intrusions/extrusions that “cut across” or enter other rocks are younger than the rocks they cross

Law of Cross-Cutting Relationships Any feature that cuts across a rock or layer of sediment is younger than the rock or layer it cuts youngest layer

Example of Cross-Cutting Intrusion - igneous rock that forms when magma squeezes between existing rock and hardens Intrusion - igneous rock that forms when magma squeezes between existing rock and hardens

Examples of Cross-Cutting Example of Cross-cutting (extrusive) Examples of Cross-Cutting Extrusion - igneous rock that forms when lava flows on Earth’s surface and hardens

Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships James Hutton (1726-1797 An igneous intrusion or a fault event must be younger than the rocks it intrudes or cuts across

Cross-cutting Relationships North shore of Lake Superior, Ontario Canada A dark-colored dike has intruded into older light colored granite. The dike is younger than the granite.

Cross-cutting Relationships Templin Highway, Castaic, California A small fault displaces tilted beds. The fault is younger than the beds.

Sequence of Events Key to Rock Types

5. Fossil (faunal)Succession Fossils of different Plants and Animals are found in sedimentary rock layers. When different fossils are found in the same layer, they existed during the same time period.

6. Law of Inclusions Rock particles/fragments that are found in rock layers are older than the rock layer it is found in.

Principle of inclusions That which is included is _________ (older Principle of inclusions That which is included is _________ (older? Younger?)

7. Lateral Continuity (Lateral means “side to side”) Igneous intrusions that “cut across” or enter other rocks are younger than the rocks they cross.

FOLDS AND FAULTS Folds and Faults are always younger than the original rock layers Fold: -bends in rock layers produced by movements of the earth’s crust Faults: -breaks in the rock where shifting of rock layers has occurred, often associated with earthquakes

Principles of Geology: Big Ideas (you should know) 7 Laws of Geology Relative aging of rock using Superposition Definitions of intrusion, geologic dike, unconformity Matching rock layers using fossils Definitions: folding, fault, uplifting