MISA Prep: Rock Layers

​A science club was planning a field trip to Calvert Cliffs State Park in Maryland. The purpose of the field trip was to observe rock layers and to record information about the different layers of rock. Before the trip, the students researched rock layers and drew diagrams of different rock layers in their science journals. One diagram showed rock layers that appeared to have moved over time, shown as follows.

​Rock Layers

After the field trip to Calvert Cliffs, some students stated that they observed rock layers high up on the cliff face similar to the diagrams they made in their science journals. The rock layers were visible due to their different coloration. The students also observed fossils in some of the rock layers. The diagrams of the fossils they observed and the rock layers in the cliffs are shown.

​Fossils at Calvert Cliffs

The students continued their research to determine the types of fossils that may be found in the different rock layers. The following diagram illustrates some of the fossils that formed in the different rock layers.

Rock Layers Containing Fossils

Multiple Choice

The students’ diagram of the rock layers that appeared to have moved is evidence that the area was affected by an Earth force.

The event that most likely caused the movement shown in the diagram was

• Flood

• Hurricane

• An Earthquake

• A Volcano Eruption

Multiple Choice

The fossils and rock layers provide evidence that although it is now dry land, millions of years ago the area of Calvert Cliffs was

• underwater
• hot and humid

• a desert environment

• the same as today

Dropdown

The students concluded that Calvert Cliffs at one time was  

​

Select answer

  environment because of the fossil evidence from  

​

Select answer

Multiple Choice

One student drew the following map that identified the ocean shoreline in the area of Calvert Cliffs millions of years ago

The data to support the student’s map of the historic coastline is

• the types of rocks found at Calvert Cliffs

• the types of fossils found at Calvert Cliffs

• The number of rock layers found at Calvert Cliffs

• The amount of water found at the bottom of Calvert Cliffs

Open Ended

Use evidence from the diagrams to describe how the Calvert Cliffs most likely appeared millions of years ago.