WBHS Rupe Geologic Time

The principle that states that geologic processes that occurred in the past can be explained by current geologic processes.

The present is the key to the past.

• Unconformity

• Uniformitarianism

• Superposition

• Catastrophism

According to the law of superposition, the oldest fossils are found 

• At the top of the rock layers
• Near the bottom of the rock layers
• In the middle of the rock layers
• Somewhat near the surface

Which type of rock is most likely to contain fossils?

• intrusive igneous rocks

• sedimentary rocks

• metamorphic rocks

• extrusive igneous rocks

The time required for half of a sample of a radioactive isotope to break down by radioactive decay to form a daughter isotope is called what?

• uniformitarianism
• relative age
• half-life
• radioactive dating

What chart is used to place all of the geologic events and life forms in chronological order?

• Geologic Time Scale

• Depth Chart

• Bathymetric Chart

• Family Tree

What do scientists study in order to date Earth at 4.5 billion years old?

• ice cores

• beach sediment

• fossils

• meteorites

These fossils allow geologists to match rocks of the same age in different regions because they were widespread and only around for a short period of time.

• index fossil
• trace fossil
• cryofossil

• varve

An erosional surface that represents a break in the rock record...... (line Y)

• law of crosscutting relationships
• unconformity
• radiometric dating
• varve

What rock layer is the oldest ?

• a
• b
• c
• d

In undisturbed rock, a layer is older than the one above it and younger that the one below it.

• Law of Superposition

• Inclusions

• Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships

• Priniciple of Orignial Horizontality