Can you tell the age of a rock by the number of layers it has?

While the number of layers in a rock can provide some clues about its age, it is not a reliable method for determining its exact age. Rock layers are formed over long periods of time as sediment is deposited and compacted. The more layers a rock has, the longer it took to form.

However, many factors can influence the formation of rock layers, such as changes in the environment, volcanic activity, and erosion, which can cause layers to be disrupted or even disappear. Additionally, rocks can be uplifted and tilted, which can also make it difficult to determine their age based on the number of layers.

Instead of relying solely on the number of layers, geologists use a variety of techniques to determine the age of rocks, such as radiometric dating and stratigraphic correlation. These methods involve analyzing the properties of the rocks themselves, as well as their surrounding environments, to determine their ages with greater accuracy.