Geologic Time

Imagine you are a geologist studying the Earth's history. Why would a time scale be important in your research?

• To interpret Earth's history

• To record geologic and evolutionary changes

• To give meaning to geologic and evolutionary events

• All of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Imagine you are a geologist studying rock layers. How would you apply the principle of superposition?

• I would assume that each bed is older than the one above and younger than the one below

• I would assume that layers of sediment are generally deposited in a horizontal position

• I would assume that beds originate as continuous layers

• I would assume that younger features cut across older features

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Imagine you are a geologist studying rock formations. What would the principle of original horizontality suggest?

• Each rock layer is older than the one above it and younger than the one below it

• Layers of sediment are generally deposited in a horizontal position

• Rock layers originate as continuous layers

• Younger geological features cut across older ones

While studying the Grand Canyon, you notice the rock layers. What principle explains why these layers extend in all directions?

• Each layer of rock is older than the one above it and younger than the one below it

• The layers of rock were originally deposited in a horizontal position

• The rock layers originated as continuous layers, extending in all directions

• Younger features in the rock cut across older features

While studying the Grand Canyon, what does the principle of cross-cutting relationships tell us?

• Each layer of the canyon is older than the one above and younger than the one below

• Layers of the canyon were generally deposited in a horizontal position

• The layers of the canyon originated as continuous layers

• Younger features of the canyon cut across older features

While studying the Grand Canyon, you come across fragments of one rock unit enclosed within another. What is this phenomenon called in relative dating?

• Inclusions

• Original Horizontality

• Continuity

• Cross-Cutting Relationships

Imagine you are a geologist studying rock formations. You come across a gap in the geological record. What is this gap called?

• An unconformity

• Layers of sediment deposited in a horizontal position

• Beds that originate as continuous layers

• Younger features that cut across older features

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

While studying the Grand Canyon, a geologist comes across three different types of unconformities. Can you identify them?

• Angular unconformity, nonconformity, disconformity

• Superposition, original horizontality, lateral continuity

• Inclusions, cross-cutting relationships, faunal succession

• Permineralization, molds and casts, carbonization

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

You are on a field trip to a museum and you see a section dedicated to the study of fossils. What is this study called?

• Paleontology

• Radiocarbon dating

• Taphonomy

• Faunal succession

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Imagine you are a geologist studying fossils. You come across a fossil where mineral-rich groundwater has flowed through its porous tissue and precipitated minerals. What is this process called?

• Permineralization

• A shell is buried in sediment and dissolved by underground water

• An organism is buried and compressed, leaving a thin film of carbon

• The hardened resin of ancient trees

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2