Principle of cross-cutting relationships

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A rock or fault is younger than any rock (or fault) through which it cuts. This principle was developed by James Hutton.

Example

In a series of horizontal sedimentary beds, there is an igneous dyke which cuts vertically through them. The dyke is younger than the sediment beds, as the beds would have had to be around before the dyke could have intruded.

[edit] References

Tarbuck, Lutgens, Tsujita. Earth - An Introduction to Physical Geology. USA: Pearson Education Canada Inc., 2005

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