Geology

The study of solid earth and the processes by which it is shaped is known as geology. Plate tectonics, the history of life and past climates are well explained in geology. For mineral exploration, hydrocarbon exploration and for evaluating water resources, geology is very important. It helps in predicting natural hazards and climatic changes. Geology provides remedies for many environmental problems and plays an important role in geotechnical engineering. Geological events can be related to other events that occurred before or after it. Geologists use various methods to get information about geological events. Geologists are professionals who study about the solid and liquid matter that constitutes our planet.

Relative Dating

Relative dating is a method used by geologists to study about the geological events. Several principles of relative dating are used to provide information about geologic history. The principle of intrusive relationship discusses about crosscutting intrusions. Stocks, laccoliths, batholiths, sills and dikes are the major intrusions. The formation of faults in the cross cutting of intrusions is explained in the principle of cross cutting relationships. The principle of inclusions and components states that if inclusions are found in sedimentary rocks, then the inclusions must be older than the formation. The principle of uniformitarianism describes that the geological processes used for the purpose of modifying earth’s crust is the same over geologic time. Another important principle related to relative dating is principle of original horizontality. It mentions that the sedimentation occurs in horizontal beds. The principle of superposition states that sedimentary rock layer in a tectonically undisturbed layer is older than the layer lying above it and younger than the layer lying lower than it. The process of determining an approximate computed age in geology s known as absolute dating. The science of determining the age of rocks, fossils and sediments is known as geochronology.

Geologic materials

Major geological data are calculated based on solid earth materials .They are divided into rocks and unconsolidated materials. Rocks are of three types. They are igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks. The rock cycle is a very important concept in the field of geology. It describes the relationship of igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks with magma. If a rock is formed from melt, it is igneous rock. The igneous rock is converted into sedimentary rock when it is weathered or eroded and lithified. Sedimentary rocks when undergo heat and pressure, its characteristics changes and then it is known as metamorphic rock. The study of unconsolidated or unlithified materials is known as quaternary geology.

Questions:

• Define geology?
• What is meant by relative dating?