Geological History

How do scientists know that some mountains were once at the bottom of an ocean?

• Freshwater rivers flow to the ocean.

• Saltwater fish are found in some mountain streams.

• Dinosaur bones have been discovered in the mountains.

• Marine fossils have been found on the peaks of some mountains.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

A fossil discovered in Colorado dates from the early Mesozoic era. A year later a similar fossil is found in Wyoming that also dates from the early Mesozoic era. These two organisms most likely lived in

• the same environment at about the same time.

• the same environment at different times.

• different environments at about the same time.

• different environments at different times.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which of these provides the BEST evidence that the distribution of Earth’s oceans has changed over time?

• hot spots on ocean floors

• seismic activity along plate boundaries

• sediment buildup on continental slope

• marine fossils found on land masses

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Which method would be BEST for scientists to use to determine the absolute age of a Precambrian igneous rock?

• Index fossils

• law of superposition

• radiometric dating

• law of original horizontality

Which environmental condition MOST likely existed at the time a fossil formed?

• Organism remains were deposited in an area of open space

• Organism remains were covered by lava flow.

• Organism remains were buried with little oxygen.

• Organism remains were buried in an area where a lot of erosion occurred.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A student has made the geologic column that you see here.

• fossils

• soil type

• environment

• plate tectonics

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

A scientist drew some diagrams of ancestors of elephants based on fossil evidence.

Which is the BEST conclusion that can be made from comparing the diagrams?

• Elephant species have changed over time.

• Ancient elephants were better adapted than modern elephants

• Elephant habitats have remained the same over time.

• Elephant fossil evidence is widespread and complete

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Scientists are able to conclude that a forested ecosystem existed in Antarctica millions of years ago by studying:

• the current climate

• the fossil record

• glacial movement

• seafloor spreading

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

According the the ESRT for Geologic History of New York State, what is one possible age of this fossil?

• 425 million years old

• 445 million years old

• 410 million years old

• 465 million years old

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

According the the ESRT for Geologic History of New York State, what is one possible age of this fossil?

• 425 million years old

• 465 million years old

• 410 million years old

• 495 million years old

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4