Earth and Life Science Quarter 1 Week 5

St.
Peter’s Academy
Polangui, Albay
EARTH and LIFE Science Module
Quarter: 2nd Week: 5

Subject Content: Movement of plates
Resource: Earth and Life SCIENCE: Knowing and Understanding Nature pp. 45-49
Learning Competencies:
1. Describe how layers of rocks (stratified rocks) are formed.
2. Describe the different methods (relative and absolute dating) to determine the age of stratified rocks.
Days 1-3 Time Started: ________ Time Finished: ________
Introduction (10 minutes allotment)
STRATIFICATION
We study Earth's history by studying the record of past events that is preserved in the rocks. The layers of the
rocks are the pages in our history book.
Most of the rocks exposed at the

surface of Earth are sedimentary--
formed from particles of older rocks
that have been broken apart by water
or wind. The gravel, sand, and mud
settle to the bottom in rivers, lakes,
and oceans. These sedimentary
particles may bury living and dead
animals and plants on the lake or sea
bottom. With the passage of time
and the accumulation of more
particles, and often with chemical
changes, the sediments at the bottom of the pile become rock. Gravel becomes a rock called conglomerate, sand
becomes sandstone, mud becomes mudstone or shale, and the animal skeletons and plant pieces can become
fossils.
Methods to Determine the Age of Stratified Rocks
There are two methods of determining the ages of rocks: relative dating and absolute dating.
1. Relative dating is a method of arranging geological events based on the rock sequence. It cannot
provide actual numerical dates of rocks. It only tells that one rock is older than the other but does not tell
how old each of the rock is.
In the early mid-1600’s, a Danish scientist, Nicholas Steno, studied the relative positions of sedimentary
rocks. He discovered that they settle based on their relative weight or size in a fluid. The largest or
heaviest particles settle first, and the smallest or the lightest particles settle last. Any slight changes in
the particle size or composition may result in the formation of layers called beds. Layering or bedding
is a distinct quality of sedimentary rocks. The layered rocks are also called strata.
Principles of Relative Dating
 The law of superposition states that, in any sequence of layered sedimentary rocks, the top
layer is younger than the bottom layer. It is important in the interpretation of the Earth's
history because it indicates the relative age of the rock layers and fossils.
 The law of original horizontality states that most sediments were originally laid down
horizontally. However, many layered rocks are no longer horizontal. Based on the law of
original horizontality, the rocks that were tilted may be due to later events such as tilting
episodes of mountain building.
 The law of lateral continuity states that rock layers extend laterally or out to the sides. These
layers may cover broad surfaces. Erosion may have worn away some parts of the rock, but the
layers on either side of the eroded areas still match.
 The law of cross-cutting relationship states that fault lines and igneous rocks are younger
features that cut through older features of rocks.
2. Absolute dating or radiometric dating is a method that gives an actual date of the rock or period of an
event. It is used to determine the age of rocks by measuring its radioactive decay. A radioactive isotope
in the rock decays into a stable daughter isotope. The decay occurs at a predictable rate, so the age of the
sample could be determined. Examples:
 Radiocarbon dating for organic remains could date up to 60 000 years.
 K-Ar dating and U-Pb dating for volcanic rocks could date up to five billion years.
The Geologic Time Scale
The geologic time scale shows the geologic time intervals based on the geologic rock records, which describe
the relationships between the events that happened throughout the Earth’s history. The sequence of events is
based on the radiometric dating of igneous rocks associated with the fossil-bearing sedimentary rocks.
A geologic time scale is revised as more fossil-bearing sedimentary rocks are dated. It is calibrated by
integrating results from relative and absolute dating. Below is an example of how geologic time scale is
calibrated:
1. Raw data composed of strata or layers are reviewed.
2. The unique succession of events in the layers is recognized based on the laws of relative dating leading
to a chronological order of events.
3. Numerical or absolute age of the events is given using absolute dating or radiometric methods. Absolute
dating provides the age for the ash layers while relative dating provides at least six strata with relative
ages – first and last occurrences of the fossils and the volcanic eruption events.
Activity 1. Identify what is being asked in each item. Write your answers on the blank before each number
________________1. Japan is formed with what type of plate boundary?
________________2. With the passage of time and the accumulation of more particles, animal and plant
remains can become ____________.
________________3. Earth's surface is made of separate slabs called _________ that move slowly over Earth’s
upper layers.
________________4. This principle states that rock layers extend laterally or out to the sides.
________________5. The Danish scientist who studied the relative positions of sedimentary rocks in 1600s.
________________6. The boundary between two plates that are moving apart is called __________.
________________7. A type of radiometric dating used for volcanic rocks could date up to five billion years.
________________8. The San Andreas fault zone is an example of what type of plate boundary?
________________9. The Andes Mountain range in South America has been produced by this boundary type.
________________10. This principle states that the top layer is younger than the bottom layer.
Performance Task. Illustrate the three types of plate boundaries and the folds and faults formed from each
type. Use a separate long-sized bond paper for this activity. You may use your pencils, colored pens and other
coloring materials to make your work presentable. Make sure to label each type of boundary. Don’t forget to
write your name on your output and attach your output on this module before submitting.
Rubrics (Leave this blank, proceed to Feedback)
CRITERIA Plate boundaries

Accuracy
Details
Artistry
Use of Color/s
TOTAL

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St.

EARTH and LIFE Science Module

Quarter: 2nd Week: 5

Days 1-3 Time Started: Time Finished:

Introduction (10 minutes allotment)

Most of the rocks exposed at the

CRITERIA Plate boundaries

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