Earth History exam 4

Front

What are fossils?

Back

Any remains, trace, or imprint of animal or plant life preserved in Earth's crust.

Front

What does the Law of Superposition state?

Back

In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the lowest layers contain the older rocks.

Front

In an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rocks, each layer is:

Back

older than the one above it.

Front

What is a basin in geological terms?

Back

A low area where sediments are deposited.

Front

Define extinction.

Back

The complete loss or death of a species.

Front

What is sedimentary rock?

Back

Rock formed by the accumulation of sediments, often layered.

Front

What is the significance of fossils in Earth history?

Back

Fossils provide evidence of past life and environmental conditions.

Front

What is the principle of original horizontality?

Back

Layers of sediment are originally deposited horizontally under the action of gravity.

Front

What is a geological time scale?

Back

A system of chronological dating that relates geological strata to time.

Front

What is a paleontologist?

Back

A scientist who studies fossils and ancient life forms.