Geologic History Vocabulary Flashcard

Front

What is the process of determining the specific age of an object or event in years?

Back

Absolute Dating

Front

Which idea suggests that Earth's history has been marked by rapid, worldwide events?

Back

Catastrophism

Front

What term describes the movement of Earth's continents?

Back

Continental Drift

Front

What is the longest division of time in geology?

Back

Eon

Front

Which division of geologic time spans tens to hundreds of millions of years? Options: Era, Eon, Period, Epoch

Back

Era

Front

What are fossils of organisms that existed in large numbers for a short geologic time used for?

Back

Index Fossils

Front

What is a long mountain chain with a central rift valley in the ocean called?

Back

Mid-Ocean Ridge

Front

What is a division of geologic time within an era?

Back

Period

Front

What is the process of comparing objects or events to determine their relative ages?

Back

Relative Dating

Front

What principle states that Earth's geologic processes occur at consistent rates over time?

Back

Uniformitarianism