Final answer:
Stratigraphy aids in dating due to the Principle of Superposition, where the oldest layers are at the bottom and the newest at the top. Changes over time result in different layers that can be dated, making stratigraphy a valuable tool for relative dating.
Step-by-step explanation:
The utility of stratigraphy for dating purposes is based on the fact that the layering of strata (rocks and soil) occurs in a sequential manner, with the oldest at the bottom and the newest at the top. This is known as the Principle of Superposition. Over time, changes in global conditions, biological evolution, and organic material deposition leads to the formation of distinct layers which can be dated even in the absence of fossil evidence. This is the key to understanding how stratigraphy aids in relative dating, providing a chronological order of events in earth's history.
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