Unit 2 Earth History and Evolution

Front

What are the four geologic time periods in order from most recent to most ancient?

Back

Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic, Precambrian

Front

What is relative dating in geology?

Back

Relative dating is a process that allows scientists to compare different rock layers in a sequence to determine their age.

Front

How do similar bone structures in different species support the theory of evolution?

Back

It provides evidence that they evolved from a common ancestor that had these bones.

Front

What does it mean if a fault is younger than the surrounding rock layers?

Back

It means the fault occurred after the formation of the igneous rock intrusion and the sedimentary rock layers.

Front

What can scientists infer from finding index fossils in different locations?

Back

The rock layers containing the fossils are about the same relative age.

Front

Define geologic time scale.

Back

The geologic time scale is a system of chronological dating that relates geological strata to time.

Front

What is the significance of index fossils in geology?

Back

Index fossils are used to identify and date the rock layers in which they are found, indicating the relative age of those layers.

Front

What is the difference between absolute dating and relative dating?

Back

Absolute dating provides a specific age of a rock or fossil, while relative dating places events in order without providing a specific age.

Front

What is the principle of superposition?

Back

In undisturbed sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest layers are at the top.

Front

What evidence supports the theory of plate tectonics?

Back

The distribution of fossils, geological formations, and the fit of continental coastlines support the theory of plate tectonics.