Foss Earth History Investigation

Mrs. Jones provides her class with an image that shows rock layers in their original order along with a fracture in some rock layers caused by an earthquake. She has asked students what information can be determined from these rock layers. An image is provided. Based on the evidence in the illustration, when did the earthquake occur?

• Before Layer W was deposited

• Before Layer X was deposited

• After Layer Y was deposited

• After Layer Z was deposited

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What evidence supports the scientific theory that continents on Earth were at one time a part of a large supercontinent called Pangaea before they drifted apart?

• Sediments found along the coasts of continents often were transported there by wind or moving water.

• The plants and animals that live on the same continent can often look very different from their fossil ancestors.

• The fossils of some kind of organisms can only be found in one location on Earth.

• In several locations, the shape of one continent matches the shape of a nearby continent, like puzzle pieces.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The distribution of fossils is used as evidence for plate tectonics. The distribution of four different fossil organisms over three different continents is shown in the provided diagram. The distribution of which organisms can be used as evidence that Africa was once connected to South America?

• Lystrosaurus, Mesosaurus, and Glossopteris

• Cynognathus, Glossopteris, and Lystrosaurus

• Glossopteris, Cynognathus, and Mesosaurus

• Cynognathus, Mesosaurus, Lystrosaurus

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Scientists use several processes to determine the age of rock layers and fossils on Earth. Which process can be used for the absolute dating of fossils?

• Relative dating

• Radioactive dating

• The law of superposition

• Earthquake location

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

When looking at the shape of the continental shelves that surround South America and Africa, it can be observed that the continental shelves fit together. An image is provided. Which of the following ideas best supports this observation?

• The continental shelves of these two continents are made of the same type of rock material.

• The tectonic plates between these continents are roughly the same age.

• These continents were joined in the past and have moved apart since that time.

• The material that makes up the continental shelves is eroded from the continents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Stratigraphy is the study of rock layers and layering. An image of a various sedimentary rock layer is provided. In which of the labeled sections of the sedimentary rock layers would the oldest rock be on top of the younger rocks?

• Area A

• Area B

• Area C

• Area D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Examining rocks that form on either side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge provides evidence that supports the theory of plate tectonics. An image is provided. These rocks provide evidence of plate movement because as we look at rocks farther and farther from the ridge, which of the following is occurring?

• The iron content is increasing.

• Their particles are getting smaller.

• They become thicker and thicker.

• They are consistently older.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

One scientific technique determines the age of rocks by observing the undisturbed sequence of rocks deposited in layers, with the youngest layer on top and the oldest on the bottom. Which of the following does this describe?

• Relative dating

• Radioactive dating

• The law of superposition

• Earthquake location

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What type of rock is most likely to contain fossils?

• Igneous rock

• Metamorphic rock

• Sedimentary rock

• Volcanic rock

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which of the following is a method used to determine the relative age of fossils?

• Carbon dating

• Stratigraphy

• Thermoluminescence

• Dendrochronology