GL101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Metamorphic Rock, James Hutton, Relative Dating
Document Summary
James hutton recognized the immensity of earth history in the late 1700s. In the 1800s, sir charles lyell demonstrated earth has been through many mountain building episodes: although, these early scientists knew earth was very old, they has no way of knowing exactly how old. Geology needs a time scale: rocks record geologic events and changing life forms of the past. Interpreting earth"s history is a prime goal of geology, based on clues found in rocks: the geologic time scale was developed and earth"s history was discovered to be exceedingly long. Geologic time: scientists tried to determine a numeric date for earth, relative dating means that rocks are placed in their proper sequence of formation, doesn"t give us the age of rocks, only their order. Layers of sediment are generally deposited in a horizontal position: rock layers that are flat have not been disturbed, also developed by nicolaus steno.
