relative age

views updated May 08 2018

relative age The position within a time sequence (in the Earth sciences usually the stratigraphic time-scale) held by an event, fossil, mineral, or rock, compared with others of its kind, e.g. ‘an early Cambrian trilobite’ or a ‘Late Jurassic marine transgression’. No age in years is implied. Compare ABSOLUTE AGE. See also DATING METHODS.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

relative age

views updated May 21 2018

relative age The position of an event, fossil, etc. in relation to others of its kind within a time sequence (e.g. ‘an early Cambrian trilobite’ or ‘a late Jurassic marine transgression’). No age in years is implied. Compare absolute age. See also dating methods.

A Dictionary of Ecology MICHAEL ALLABY

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