Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships

A relative‑age principle stating that geologic features (faults, dikes, fractures, erosional surfaces) that cut across other rocks or structures are younger than the features they cut.

A relative dating principle stating that any geological or cultural feature (e.g., fault, dike, pit, cut) that transects or disrupts other units is younger than the units it cuts; applied to reconstruct the sequence of events at a site by ordering intrusive and cutting actions after the bodies they affect.