A Trip Through Geologic Time

Front

What is the Mesozoic Era known as?

Back

The Mesozoic Era is often called the Age of Reptiles.

Front

What is magma that forces its way into rocks and hardens called?

Back

Magma that forces its way into rocks and hardens is called an intrusion.

Front

What do fossils provide evidence for?

Back

Fossils provide evidence for changes in Earth's surface, how environments on Earth changed over time, and how groups of organisms have changed over time, but not for how Earth originally formed.

Front

What is an example of an intrusion?

Back

An example of an intrusion is when magma cools and solidifies within the Earth's crust.

Front

What is radioactive dating used for?

Back

Scientists use radioactive dating to determine the absolute age of rocks.

Front

What is an extrusion in geology?

Back

An extrusion is when lava flows out of a volcano and solidifies on the Earth's surface.

Front

What is an index fossil?

Back

An index fossil is a fossil that is used to define and identify a particular time period in the geologic time scale.

Front

What does the term 'unconformity' refer to?

Back

An unconformity refers to a gap in the geologic record where rock layers have been eroded or not deposited for a period of time.

Front

What is the significance of the fossil record?

Back

The fossil record provides important information about the history of life on Earth and how different species have evolved over time.

Front

What is the difference between relative age and absolute age?

Back

Relative age is the age of an object in relation to another object, while absolute age is the actual age of an object, often determined through methods like radioactive dating.