Geologic History of Earth's Modern Continents

What is the Phanerozoic era?

• The era when life-forms with hard parts appeared

• The era when North America was a barren lowland

• The era when Pangaea formed

• The era when the Atlantic Ocean started to form

Which continents were part of Laurasia?

• North America, Europe, Siberia, and smaller crustal fragments

• South America, Africa, Australia, Antarctica, and India

• North America and Africa

• Europe, Siberia, and smaller crustal fragments

What caused the formation of swamps and coal during the Paleozoic era?

• The appearance of life-forms with hard parts

• The migration of Gondwana

• The subduction of the Farallon plate

• The invasion of shallow seas

Which mountain belts were formed during the accretion of Gondwana?

• Caledonian, Appalachian, and Ural Mountains

• Sierra Nevada, Idaho batholith, and British Columbia's Coast Range Batholith

• Rocky Mountains

• Basin and Range Province

When did Pangaea reach its maximum size?

• 250 million years ago

• 185 million years ago

• 100 million years ago

• 40-50 million years ago

What marked the start of the Atlantic Ocean?

• Rift development between North America and Africa

• Subduction of the Farallon plate

• Formation of the North American Cordillera

• Erosion of the Rocky Mountains

What led to the formation of the North American Cordillera?

• Subduction of the Farallon plate

• Accretion of Gondwana

• Rift development between North America and Africa

• Erosion of the Rocky Mountains

Which region experienced crustal extension and formed the Basin and Range Province?

• Nevada to Mexico

• North America, Europe, Siberia, and smaller crustal fragments

• South America, Africa, Australia, Antarctica, and India

• Washington, Oregon, and Idaho

What caused the re-elevation of the Rocky Mountains and rejuvenation of western rivers?

• Erosion of the Rocky Mountains

• Subduction of the Farallon plate

• Crustal extension

• Glacial/interglacial cycles

When was the Grand Canyon created?

• During the Eocene period

• During the Mesozoic era

• During the Cenozoic era

• During the Paleozoic era