Asked by Jasmine Abunaim on May 01, 2024
Verified
Which principle can be used to determine the relative age of an igneous intrusion called a dike?
A) cross-cutting relations
B) superposition
C) original horizontality
Igneous Intrusion
The process where magma from the Earth's mantle cuts through or intrudes into the Earth's crust, eventually cooling and solidifying to form igneous rock.
Cross-Cutting Relations
A principle in geology that an igneous intrusion or fault must be younger than the rocks it intrudes or displaces.
Superposition
A principle in geology that states in an undisturbed sequence of rocks, layers on the bottom are older than those above them.
- Familiarize yourself with the principal concepts of relative dating such as superposition, original horizontality, cross-cutting relationships, and inclusions.
Verified Answer
LR
Laura RamosMay 03, 2024
Final Answer :
A
Explanation :
Cross-cutting relations is a principle that states that the geologic feature which cuts another is the younger of the two features. Since an igneous dike cuts through pre-existing layers of rock, it must be younger than the layers it cuts through, making cross-cutting relations the correct principle to determine its relative age.
Learning Objectives
- Familiarize yourself with the principal concepts of relative dating such as superposition, original horizontality, cross-cutting relationships, and inclusions.