Relative dating does not offer specific dates, it simply allows to determine if one artifact, fossil, or stratigraphic layer is older than another. Absolute dating methods provide more specific origin dates and time ranges, such as an age range in years.

How do relative and absolute dating work together?

In relative dating, fossils are dated according to the depth at which they were buried. The fossils which are buried deep inside the earth are more ancient. While in the absolute dating, isotopes of carbon are used for dating fossils. Both are ultimately based on the fossils found in the strata.

What is relative dating and how does it work?

Relative dating is the process of determining if one rock or geologic event is older or younger than another, without knowing their specific ages—i.e., how many years ago the object was formed.

Why relative and absolute dating is important?

With absolute age dating, scientists determine the absolute age of a rock in millions of years before present rather than just the age of the rock relative to the rock units around it. This information helps geologists develop more precise geological history models for the rocks and regions they study.