Earth's Geological History and Fossils

Front

What is the term for organic material that is replaced with minerals?

Back

Petrified Fossils

Front

What is the study of Earth's past called?

Back

Geologic History

Front

What are fossils of organisms that lived for a short time but are widespread known as?

Back

Index Fossils

Front

What does the Law of Superposition state?

Back

The oldest layer of rock is at the bottom, and layers become progressively younger as you move toward the surface.

Front

How old is the Earth approximately?

Back

4.6 Billion years

Front

What are fossils?

Back

Remains or traces of ancient organisms preserved in rock.

Front

What is the difference between body fossils and trace fossils?

Back

Body fossils are actual remains of the organism, while trace fossils are evidence of the organism's activity (like footprints).

Front

What is the significance of index fossils in geology?

Back

They help to date the rock layers and correlate the age of the rocks across different locations.

Front

What is the Law of Original Horizontality?

Back

It states that layers of sediment are originally deposited horizontally under the action of gravity.

Front

What is the Law of Crosscutting Relationships?

Back

It states that if a geological feature cuts through another, the feature that has been cut is older.