Geologic

Which of these choices is the best definition of absolute dating?

• determining the age of a rock layer by studying the fossils present

• finding the age of an object compared to other objects

• measuring the age of an object in years using any method

• determining the amount of a radioactive isotope in an object

What is the method of measuring age that gives the most precise results?

• radioactive dating, when scientists measure the levels of an isotopic element inside of an object

• rate of sedimentation, which dates layers of Earth based on their thickness

• law of superposition, which dates layers of Earth based on their order

• relative dating, when scientists fill an object with carbon and measure how much will fit

Limestone can be found at the top of the Himalayas, the highest mountain range in the world. Limestone is a rock that usually forms at the bottom of shallow, warm waters. What does this information show about Earth?

• It shows that Earth has not changed much over the years as limestone has adapted to forming on mountain peaks.

• It shows that Earth has evolved over time as areas of land that have once been covered in water, but no longer are.

• It shows that Earth circulates its minerals so often that limestone always ends up on the peaks of mountains.

• It shows that Earth has mostly convergent plate boundaries that push limestone from the ocean floor to the top of mountains.

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At one time, several kinds of camels lived in Florida. The evidence comes from fossils found in Florida. Which of these objects would be a fossil that shows that camels once lived in Florida?

• Sinkhole formed by a retreating glacier

• sedimentary rock that formed a long time ago

• crystal formation suspended from the ceiling of a cave

• remains of an organism preserved by geologic processes

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The many methods of radioactive dating include the uranium-lead dating method and the potassium-argon dating method. Why do geologists use a variety of methods to date rocks on earth?

• Many events in Earth's history caused rocks that formed on Earth's surface to form in Earth's inner core.

• Different events in Earth's history caused different rocks to form on Earth's surface.

• There are not enough differences among the events that caused rocks to form on Earth's surface.

• Many events in Earth's history caused rocks that formed on Earth to form on the Moon.

Which of the following best describes an intrusive rock?

• rocks formed from erosion

• rocks formed from weathering

• rocks that pushes up from underneath

• rocks on the surface of the grand canyon

In 1997 a team of scientists discovered three fossilized skulls and other artifacts at a dig site in Ethiopia, Africa. Since it is difficult to determine the age of once-living organisms, the scientists used radioactive dating on the igneous rocks that surrounded the remains to determine their age. Why would scientists use radioactive dating in order to determine the age of the fossil they discovered?

•  Radioactive dating is an easier and less expensive method than applying the law of superposition for approximating the age of igneous rocks. 

• . Radioactive dating is specific and gives the exact date that a rock was formed while the law of superposition gives an approximate estimate of ages. 

• Radioactive dating gives an approximate estimate of the age of the igneous rocks, while the law of superposition will only reveal which is younger or older.

•  Radioactive dating determines whether the igneous rocks are older or younger than deeper layers of rocks, while the using the law of superposition depends on tectonic events. 

Trilobites are a species of invertebrate fossils commonly found in places such as the Grand Canyon, a large landform made of many rock layers and coastal Florida. Trilobites lived in shallow marine environments and varied widely in size.

• Trilobite fossils are in both rocky and marine areas proving that Earth has changed by natural processes. 

• Trilobite fossils are only in marine areas, showing how Earth has not been changed by natural processes. 

• Trilobite fossils are found in rock layers that were laid down by natural processes which no longer occurs today.

•  Trilobite fossils are found in marine areas under the Earth's surface compressed by natural processes over time. 

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What is a Geologic Process?

• Something that people do to destroy Earth

• Something that only happens to geodes

• Anything that quickly changes what you see

• Something that occurs naturally and changes Earth's surface

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What is a tectonic plate?

• A huge chunk of dense ice that slowly moves.

• A rapidly rotating column of air that moves through a storm and destroys things in its path.

• A storm with violent wind that travels through the ocean and destroys things in its path.

• A large division of Earth’s crust that moves over time.

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