Mapping and Geologic Time

Which rock is oldest?

• Shale

• Sandstone

• Limestone

• Breccia

Answer explanation

The law of superposition states that rocks at the bottom of a rock outcrop are oldest while rocks at the top are youngest.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

________________ time places events in a sequence without assigning any numerical age.

• Relative

• Absolute

Which law states that the oldest layers of rocks are found at the bottom while the youngest layer of rock is found at the top?

• Law of original horizontally

• Law of cross cutting

• Law of superposition

• Law of index fossils

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What best describes layer 3?

• It was deposited before layer 4

• It was deposited after layer 1

• It was eroded away

• It was deposited before layer 2

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which option shows the correct order of layers from oldest to youngest?

• B,E,C,D,A

• E,B,C,D,A

• A,D,C,E,B

• A,D,C,B,E

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which layer has the oldest rock?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Answer explanation

While 4 is the lowest number, 3 is attatched to a layer found below 4. These layers are likely distorted because of plate tectonic forces.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Order the layers from oldest to youngest.

• A,B,C

• C,B,A

• C,A,B

• B,C,A

Answer explanation

Layer A has intruded into layer C. You can tell because the edge of A is random, not flat like a normal deposited layer or uniformly curvy like an erosion line. Additionally, pockets of C can be seen through A, as if A didn't melt all of C. Lastly, B intersects both A and C, so B is youngest.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What can relative dating tell us about Fossil X and Y?

• They lived during different times

• They lived during the same time

• Fossil Y lived in a lake

• Fossil X is 10,000 years older than Y

Answer explanation

Both fossil X and Y are found in the same rock layer. Therefore, they lived and died during the same time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which town has the oldest exposed bedrock?

• Hightown Valley

• Monterey

• Jack Mountain

• Bull Pasture

Answer explanation

While the dotted rock is the bottom most layer, it is not exposed at the surface. The next oldest layer (the brick looking layer), is exposed at Hightown Valley. Exposure of old rock happens due to tectonic forces pushing and folding rocks, as well as erosion.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Layer X is probably the oldest because

• It is in limestone, which are the oldest rocks.

• It is from Site 1 which is near an older town.

• It is the bottom most layer

• It is less common than sandstone layers

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4