1. FOSSIL DEFINITIONS Name____________________ Date ______
Directions: Match the definition with its correct meaning by writing the word in the blank by the
number.
1. ______________________: a principle that states that Relative dating
younger rocks lie above older rocks if the layer have not been
disturbed
2. ______________________: a break in the geological Superposition
record created when rock layers are eroded or when sediment is
not deposited for a long period of time
3. ______________________: an arrangement of rock layers Geologic Column
in which the oldest rocks are at the bottom
4. ______________________: determined by years since Unconformity
rock formed (measuring the age of an event or object in years)
5. ______________________: determined by the position of Absolute Age
the rock layer to the layers around it (determining an event or
object is older or younger than other events or objects)
6. ______________________: a break in the geologic record Relative Age
created when rock layers are eroded or when sediment is not
deposited for a long period of time
FOSSIL DEFINITIONS Name____________________ Date ______
Directions: Match the definition with its correct meaning by writing the word in the blank by the
number.
1. ______________________: a principle that states that Relative dating
younger rocks lie above older rocks if the layer have not been
disturbed
2. ______________________: a break in the geological Superposition
record created when rock layers are eroded or when sediment is
not deposited for a long period of time
3. ______________________: an arrangement of rock layers Geologic Column
in which the oldest rocks are at the bottom
4. ______________________: determined by years since Unconformity
rock formed (measuring the age of an event or object in years)
5. ______________________: determined by the position of Absolute Age
the rock layer to the layers around it (determining an event or
object is older or younger than other events or objects)
6. ______________________: a break in the geologic record Relative Age
created when rock layers are eroded or when sediment is not
deposited for a long period of time

2. 7. ______________________: a fossilized mark that is Fossil
formed in soft sediment by the movement of an animal
8. ______________________: the remains or physical Trace Fossil
evidence of an organism preserved by geological processes
9. ______________________: a mark or cavity made in a Mold
sedimentary surface by a shell or other body
10. ______________________: a type of fossil that forms Cast
when sediments fill in the cavity left by a decomposed organism
11. ______________________: a fossil that is found in the Sedimentary Rock
rock layers of only one geological age that is used to establish
the age of the rock layers
12. ______________________: the type of rock in which Index Fossil
most fossils are found
7. ______________________: a fossilized mark that is Fossil
formed in soft sediment by the movement of an animal
8. ______________________: the remains or physical Trace Fossil
evidence of an organism preserved by geological processes
9. ______________________: a mark or cavity made in a Mold
sedimentary surface by a shell or other body
10. ______________________: a type of fossil that forms Cast
when sediments fill in the cavity left by a decomposed organism
11. ______________________: a fossil that is found in the Sedimentary Rock
rock layers of only one geological age that is used to establish
the age of the rock layers
12. ______________________: the type of rock in which Index Fossil
most fossils are found