Law of Superposition Review

Front

What does the law of superposition state?

Back

Each rock layer is older than the one above it.

Front

What are preserved remains or traces of an organism that lived in the past called?

Back

Fossil.

Front

How do you order rock layers from oldest to youngest?

Back

Identify the layers based on the law of superposition.

Front

How do you order rock layers from youngest to oldest?

Back

Reverse the order of the layers based on the law of superposition.

Front

What is an index fossil?

Back

A fossil that is used to define and identify a particular time period.

Front

What characteristics make a good index fossil?

Back

It must be widely distributed, abundant, and existed for a short period of time.

Front

What is the significance of the law of superposition in geology?

Back

It helps geologists determine the relative ages of rock layers.

Front

What is a vertebrate fossil?

Back

A fossil of an animal with a backbone.

Front

What is an invertebrate fossil?

Back

A fossil of an animal without a backbone.

Front

What is a carbon film fossil?

Back

A fossil that forms when an organism is buried and the gases escape, leaving a carbon imprint.