Geologic Time Over Time

Analyze the image Above. According to the Law of Superposition, which sequence of letters describes the rock layers in the diagram from oldest to youngest?

• D,C,B,A

• A,B,C,D

• A,B,D,C

• C,D,B,A

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Directions: The images below show slices of sedimentary rock in Earth's surface in two different locations. Use the images to answer any question that follow. What would be the best way to compare the ages of layers of the same slice?

• by comparing the fossils in each layer, which will have the newest fossils on the bottom and the oldest fossils on the top

• by using the law of superposition, which says the oldest rock will be on the bottom, and the newest rock on the top

• by using radioactive dating, which measures the amount of carbon-14 in an object and compares to its decay rate

• by comparing the rate of sedimentation, which says the layer that formed the quickest will be the oldest

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

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

How would a geologist determine the age of mountains formed by the upwelling of igneous rock?

• use radioactive dating to date water in a lake in the mountains

• use radioactive dating to date Earth's outer core below the mountains

• use radioactive dating to date only the bedrock underneath the mountains

• use radioactive dating to date the igneous rock and the topmost layer of soil

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Radioactive dating measures the rate of decay of radioactive materials in rocks. A geologist determines the age of a rock by comparing the amount of radioactive material with the amounts of its decay products. How could a geologist best use information from one rock to learn about the time period over which a canyon formed?

• The geologist could compare the age of one rock with the ages of rocks from another canyon.

• The geologist could compare the age of one rock with the ages of many living plants.

• The geologist could compare the age of one rock with the age of Earth.

• The geologist could compare the age of one rock with the ages of many nearby rocks.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The timeline above shows changes that occurred in the Sahara Desert throughout history.

What does this timeline suggest about Earth?

• It suggests that Earth has changed over time since human fossils became present in the Sahara after 9,000 years, indicating that the environment had been suitable enough to support human life at one time.

• It suggests that Earth has not changed much over time since human fossils were present as early as 9,000 years ago, indicating that Earth's environment has almost always been suitable for the presence of life.

• It suggests that Earth's deserts always receive monsoon rains every 1,000 years.

• It suggests that Earth is only able to preserve fossils in environments that are desert like.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The diagram above is cross-section of Earth’s sedimentary rock. Based on the Law of Superposition, which statement best compares the relative age of two rock layers?

• Layer 7 is older than layer 5

• Layer 2 is older than layer 7

• Layer 5 is younger than layer 3

• Layers 3 and 4 are the same age

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4