Earth Systems - 2nd Semester (Ch#'s 11-12)

What scientist is credited with proposing the principle of uniformitarianism?

• James Hutton

• William Smith

• John Wesley Powell

• Nicolaus Steno

The physical, chemical, and biological laws that operate today have also operated in the geologic past. This statement relates to the principle of ____.

• superposition

• cross-cutting relationships

• uniformitarianism

• correlation

According to the principle of cross-cutting relationships, an intrusive rock body is ____.

• deposited as sedimentary layers

• always made of the same materials as rock around it

• older than the rocks into which it intrudes

• younger than the rocks into which it intrudes

The dating process that places geologic events in proper sequence is referred to as a ____.

• radiometric dating

• relative dating

• numerical dating

• temporary dating

In general, the law of superposition states that in an undeformed sequence of sedimentary rocks, each layer is ____.

• basically the same age

• older than the one above it

• older than the one below it

• thicker than the one above it

What is the youngest feature shown in Figure 12-1?

• rock layer J

• rock layer A

• fault M

• igneous intrusion L

Which of the following sequences correctly lists the geologic events in Figure 12-1 in order from oldest to youngest (oldest listed first)?

• A, B, K, X, C, D, E, F, G, H, M, Y, I, J, L

• L, J, I, Y, M, H, G, F, E, D, C, X, K, B, A

• A, B, C, X, K, D, E, F, M, G, H, Y, L, I, J

• K, A, B, C, X, D, E, M, F, G, H, Y, I, J, L

Fossils are the ____.

• oldest layers of rock in a region

• remains or traces of prehistoric life

• living creatures with habitats in or around rock

• objects that people of long ago left behind as artifacts

In what type of rocks are most fossils found?

• sedimentary rocks

• igneous rocks

• metamorphic rocks

• granite and marble

Organisms with hard parts stand a good chance of being fossilized if they are ____.

• rapidly decomposed by bacteria

• slowly buried by sediments

• rapidly eaten by scavengers

• rapidly buried by sediments