The Rock Record

The principle of __________________states that, in an undisturbed sequence, the oldest rocks are at the bottom of the sequence and successive layers are younger than those below them.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Determining the order of events and the relative age of rocks by examining the position of rocks in a sequence is called ____.

• absolute age dating

• radiometric dating

• relative age dating

• radiocarbon dating

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The principle of superposition can be used to determine.

• the actual age of these rock layers

• the relative densities of these rock layers

• the actual temperatures of these rock layers

• the relative age of these rock layers

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The diagram shows a rock profile containing layers of different types of rock and igneous intrusions.

Which sequence lists the correct order of events in the area represented in the diagram?

• 1. Igneous intrusion Y formed.

  2. The shale layer was deposited.

  3. Igneous intrusion X formed.

  4. The limestone layer was deposited.

  5. The mudstone layer was deposited.

• 1. The mudstone layer was deposited.

  2. The limestone layer was deposited.

  3. The shale layer was deposited.

  4. Igneous intrusion Y cut into the mudstone, limestone, and shale.

  5. Igneous intrusion X cut into the mudstone, limestone, and shale.

• 1. Igneous intrusion X formed.

  2. Igneous intrusion Y formed.

  3. The shale layer was deposited.

  4. The limestone layer was deposited.

  5. The mudstone layer was deposited.

• 1. The layer of mudstone was deposited.

  2. The layer of limestone was deposited.

  3. Igneous intrusion Y cut into the mudstone and limestone.

  4. The shale layer was deposited.

  5. Igneous intrusion X cut into the mudstone, limestone, and shale.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Simple fossils are found in older and younger rock layers while complex fossils are not found in the oldest layers. This shows

• Life started out as simple organisms and evolved to include more complex organisms over time.

• Life started out with complex organisms. This is shown in the rock layers.

• There are no fossils in the older layers, deep in the Earth's crust.

• Nobody knows why complex fossils aren't in the rock layers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What geologic principle(or law) is best displayed here?

• Superposition

• Original horizontality

• Cross-cutting relationships

• Inclusions

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which principle states that sediments spread out flat, in all directions, until they either thin out or run into a barrier.

• Principle of Superposition

• Principle of original horizontality

• Principle of original lateral continuity

The idea that sedimentary rocks are deposited in horizontal layers unless disturbed by forces within the Earth can best be explained by which principle?

• Principle of horizontality

• Principle of Superposition

• Principle of original lateral continuity

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What scientific law tells us that if one rock layer contains pieces or fragments of another rock layer, then the fragments will be older than the rock layer that surrounds it.

• Cross-cutting

• Original Horizontality

• Unconformities

• Inclusions

What is the idea that geologic processes are occurring now are the same as those that occurred in the past?

• Unconformities

• Uniformitarianism

• Epicism

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1