Relative Dating Principles 1: Lower strata are older than those lying on top of them. Principle of Superposition: In an otherwise undisturbed sequence of sedimentary strata, or rock layers, the layers on the bottom are the oldest and layers above them are younger.

What are the five principles of relative dating?

Relative Dating. Uniformitarianism. The principle of original horizontality. The principle of lateral continuity. The principle of superposition. The principle of cross-cutting relationships. The principle of inclusions. The principle of baked contacts.

What is the definition of a relative age?

Relative age is the age of a rock layer (or the fossils it contains) compared to other layers. It can be determined by looking at the position of rock layers. Absolute age is the numeric age of a layer of rocks or fossils.