Investigation

Two students are exploring a creek in their neighborhood. The students hope to find some fossils along the way. What kinds of rocks should the students look for on their hike, and why should they look for those kinds of rocks?

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

In one area, the creek has exposed a layer of shale. What kind of environment might have once existed here to create that rock layer?

• A sandy beach

• A swamp

• A coral reef

• A river

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Continuing along the creek, they find some pieces of white sandy rock in the creek. They drip hydrochloric acid on that rock. The rock does NOT fizz.

Choose each process that likely formed the rocks in the creek. (multiple answers)

• Deposition

• Chemical Reaction

• Cementation

• Erosion

• Melting

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Which statement best describes the principle of uniformitarianism? (Choose the best answer)

• Deposition occurs faster today than it did in ancient environments

• Rocks form by the same processes today as in the past

• Weathering and erosion can be fast or slow, depending on the type of rock

• Earth's geological features were formed by a few catastrophic events

Why is uniformitarianism an important principle to consider when making inferences about how Earth's geology has changed over millions of years?

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What are the reasons for gaps in the fossil record?

Choose each statement that explains gaps in the fossil record.

• Many organisms do not have structures that can be fossilized

• There were periods of time when no organisms died

• Some environments do not provide conditions favorable to fossil formation

• There are lots of fossils that we haven't found yet

• Some geological events destroyed fossils that were in the rock layers,

Geological time is described in eras and periods. Those segments of time are based on ______. (Choose one best answer)

• Whoever discovered them

• Significant evolutionary events in Earth's history

• The thickness of certain rock layers

• The number of layers of rock that can be counted in 10 meters of a rock column

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

To a geologist, the most important use of index fossils is__________. (Choose best answer)

• To show what kind of life existed long ago

• To show that the sediments were deposited horizontally

• To determine the age of the rock

• To tell the story of the ancient environment

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Do scientists think that new rocks are still forming today? How does uniformitarianism help scientists answer that question?

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Geologists have discovered the fossils you see in the picture in rock layers at two state parks. One of these fossils is an index fossil.

Choose which is most likely the index fossil?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1