If horizontal layers of sedimentary rock have a vertical fault running through them, how might a geologist use relative dating to determine when the fault occurred ? could scientists use absolute dating as well ? why or why not ?

Scientists will be able to use relative dating and absolute dating to determine when the failure occurred.

Explanation:

Scientists will be able to use relative dating, because it is the method capable of determining an order of events that occurred in the past by relating the rock with that failure to a rock without failure or with different failures, without the need to determine an absolute age of when the failure happened, however revealing a relative, approximate date.

It will also be possible to use absolute dating, which will give a more precise age on the fault present in the rock, using a chronological age that will be determined by observing the physical and chemical properties of the rock. This technique shows the age of the event in numbers, as opposed to relative dating.