Stratigraphy
What is the evidence? The position of strata—rock layers (or objects such as fossils, minerals, and rock features within the strata)—relative to other layers
What does it tell us? Whether an object is older or younger in age relative to another object (relative age)
Key limitations: Ages are not absolute (actual) dates; can determine only the order in which a series of events occurred
Example: Grand Canyon
Click image to enlarge
Rock layers are deposited horizontally, with newer layers on top of older layers, as seen in the exposed walls of this photo of the Grand Canyon shown here.
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