Fossils, Evolution & Relative Age

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What are fossils?

Back

Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms, typically found in sedimentary rock.

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Why are soft parts of organisms rarely preserved as fossils?

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Soft parts decompose before fossilization can occur.

Front

In which type of rock are fossils most commonly found?

Back

Fossils are most commonly found in sedimentary rock.

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What is uniformitarianism?

Back

Uniformitarianism is the principle that the processes affecting Earth today (like erosion and deposition) have been the same throughout geological time.

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What is the significance of sedimentary rock in paleontology?

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Sedimentary rock is significant because it forms in layers and often contains fossils, providing a record of past life.

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What is the difference between relative age and absolute age?

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Relative age is the age of an object in relation to other objects, while absolute age is the actual age of an object, often determined by radiometric dating.

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What is an intrusion in geology?

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An intrusion is a body of igneous rock that forms when magma cools and solidifies beneath the Earth's surface.

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What does the principle of superposition state?

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The principle of superposition states that in undisturbed sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.

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What are amber and ice known for in paleontology?

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Amber and ice are known for preserving prehistoric organisms in their original material, allowing for detailed study.

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What is a fault in geological terms?

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A fault is a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock, which can cause earthquakes.