Geological History and Evolution

Which explanation best describes why marine fossils have been discovered in rock layers in a desert environment?

• A catastrophic event occurred in the area in the past.

• Continental drift moved the rock layers from the coast to the desert.

• The area was once completely covered by water.

• Volcanic activity had once occurred in the area.
  

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What have scientists mainly used to subdivide geologic time into different units or periods?

• fossil evidence

• catastrophic events

• rock layers

• unconformities
  

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The map shows Africa, South America, and the Mid-Ocean Ridge in the Atlantic Ocean. How does area C affect continental movement?

• new continent creation

• oceanic plate subduction

• sea floor spreading

• underwater mountain erosion
  

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The scientist in the photo is removing an ice core from a metal casing (tube) in order to analyze ancient gas bubbles trapped in the ice. Which geologic law or principle best explains how scientists use ice cores to learn about Earth's past climate?

• law of crosscutting relationships

• principle of lateral continuity

• law of superposition

• principle of inclusion
  

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NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

The diagram shows a section of land that has been undisturbed and includes a fossil.What can be concluded about the fossil?

• The fossil is younger than the limestone.

• The fossil is older than the shale.

• The fossil is approximately the same age as the limestone.

• It is approximately the same age as the sandstone.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Approximately how many years ago did Earth form?

• 460 years

• 460,000 years

• 4.6 million years ago

• 4.6 billion years ago

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which era began with the early invertebrates, such as trilobites and brachiopods.

• Paleozoic

• Mesozoic

• Cenozoic

Pangaea refers to a...

• large supercontinent

• Greek superhero

• Tropical fern

• Mass extinction

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

A paleontologist just discovered a Flower fossil. In which layer do you think the fossil was found in?

• Cenozoic Layer

• Mesozoic Layer

• Paleozoic Layer

• Late Proterozoic Layer

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The geologic time scale is divided up 4 large units of time called:

• Eons

• Eras

• Periods

• Epochs