Mod 1 Study Guide

What is mass extinction?

• An event in which a significant number of species on Earth become extinct within a relatively short period of time.
• A sudden increase in the number of species on Earth within a short period of time.
• An event in which only a few species on Earth become extinct.
• A gradual decrease in the number of species on Earth over a long period of time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What is extinction?

• The transformation of a species into a different species.
• The temporary disappearance of a species from the Earth.
• The migration of a species to a different habitat.
• The complete disappearance of a species from the Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Define Uniformitarianism

• The belief that geological processes occurring today are the same as those that occurred in the past.
• The theory that the Earth was formed through a series of catastrophic events.
• The idea that natural laws and processes have changed over time.

What are the principles of Relative Age Dating?

• 1. Superposition

  2. Lateral Continuity

  3. Inclusion

  4. Cross-Cutting Relationships

  5. Original Horizontality

• 1. Superposition

  2. Angular Unconformity

  3. Inclusion

  4. Non Conformity

  5. Original Horizontality

• Angular Conformity

  Non Conformity

  Disconformity

What is a "gap" in a rock record?

• A layer of sedimentary rock
• A fossilized plant or animal
• A volcanic eruption
• A missing or incomplete section of the geological history

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What is the difference between relative age and absolute age?

• Relative age is the actual age in years or other units, while absolute age is the age of one object or event compared to another.
• Relative age is the estimated age of one object or event, while absolute age is the actual age in years or other units.

• Relative age is the age of one object or event compared to a specific point in time, while absolute age is the age of one object or event compared to another.
• Relative age is the age of one object or event compared to another, while absolute age is the age of one object or event compared to a specific point in time.

Why is Iridium so important to geologists that study the extinction of dinosaurs?

• Iridium is important because it is a common element found in the Earth's crust.
• Iridium is important because it is a key component in the formation of fossil fuels.
• Iridium is important because it is a radioactive element that can be used for dating rocks.
• Iridium is important because it indicates an asteroid impact as the cause of the dinosaur extinction.

Why is it difficult to find a complete Rock record for a specific area?

• Fossilization, sedimentation, volcanic activity.
• Erosion, weathering, earthquakes/volcanoes

• Human interference, climate change, tectonic activity.
• Chemical reactions, biological activity, plate tectonics.

Geologists can infer there was a mass extinction where there are no fossils in the rock layer

• There was no mass extinction

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

If rock layers are missing what happened?

• Volcanic activity
• Tectonic plate movement
• Erosion

• Weathering

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4