RELATIVE AGE OF ROCKS

- Widespread Rock Layers

Some rock layers extend over a very wide area. They may be found on more than one continent or in more than one country. For example, the famous White Cliffs of Dover are on the coast of southeastern England. These distinctive rocks are matched by similar white cliffs in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, and Denmark (see Figure). It is important that this chalk layer goes across the English Channel. The rock is so soft that the Channel Tunnel connecting England and France was carved into it!

Chalk CliffsChalk Cliffs.

(A) Matching chalk cliffs in Denmark and

(B) in Dover, U.K.