Fossil Records

What can the fossil record tell us?

• history of life on Earth

• groups of organisms changed over long periods of time

• Information about the past climate of our Earth

• information about the past environments and changes of the Earth's surface

• all of these are correct

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which rock layer contains the newest fossils?

• F

• E

• B

• C

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

According to the law of superposition, the oldest fossils are found 

• At the top of the rock layers

• Near the bottom of the rock layers

• In the middle of the rock layers

• Somewhat near the surface

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

According to the law of superposition, which layer is the youngest?

• A

• B

• C

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What is the best reason that fossil #4 is NOT a good index fossil?

• It is not widespread

• it is not short-lived (in numerous layers)

• It is in half of the outcrops

If you found an index fossil in a layer of rock in Montana and a similar fossil in a layer of rock in Texas, you would know that:

• the fossils and rock layers are the same age

• the fossils from Montana are older

• the fossils from England are older

• none of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The best index fossils have which two traits?

• widespread geographically, long lifespan

• widespread geographically, short lifespan

• specific place, long lifespan

• specific place, short lifespan

Index fossils help determine relative age through correlating rock layers.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which of the following organisms formed last on Earth?

• Jellyfish

• Shark

• Lizards

• Horses

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

To be considered an index fossil, it had to have lived for a relatively short period of time.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4