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law of superpositionimportant method for geologistsplaces historical events in their correct orderestablishes how many years ago a given event took placeradioactive decayused on rock strata

Absolute dating is an important process used by geologists. This process allows geoologists to determine the timing of a given factor in the environment. In other words, absolute dating allows a numerical age to be estimated for that factor or the age interval between factors, but without putting the factors' formation events in order. It is generally used to date chemical and physical elements present in artifacts and rocks.

Relative dating is also an important process for geologists, but it does provide a relative order of past events and does not provide a numerical age, like absolute dating. It is generally used to date rocks, surface deposits and fossils, often using the law of superposition as a basis.