Fossils and Geologic Time Scale

Front

What are fossils that are abundant, easily recognizable, short lived, and widespread called?

Back

Index fossils are used to identify and date the layers of rock in which they are found.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Front

What is the fossil record?

Back

The fossil record is the history of life on Earth as documented by fossils, which are the remains or traces of ancient organisms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Front

Why is the fossil record considered incomplete?

Back

The fossil record is incomplete because not all organisms become fossils, and many fossils have not yet been discovered.

Front

What does the law of superposition state?

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The law of superposition states that in undisturbed sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest layers are at the top.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Front

What are the two main methods used for dating rocks and fossils?

Back

Relative dating and absolute dating are the two main methods used to determine the age of rocks and fossils.

Front

Who studies fossils?

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Paleontologists are scientists who study fossils to understand the history of life on Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Front

What is relative dating?

Back

Relative dating is a method used to determine the age of rocks and fossils by comparing them to other rocks and fossils.

Front

What is absolute dating?

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Absolute dating is a method used to determine the exact age of a rock or fossil, often using techniques like radiometric dating.

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What are preserved fossils?

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Preserved fossils are remains of organisms that have been preserved in their original form, such as insects trapped in amber.

Front

What are imprints in the context of fossils?

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Imprints are fossilized marks left by organisms, such as footprints or leaf prints, that show the shape of the organism.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1