Geologic Time

Which era makes up MOST of Geologic time?

• Precambrian

• Paleozoic

• Mesozoic

• Cenozoic

Which era are we currently in?

• Precambrian

• Paleozoic

• Mesozoic

• Cenozoic

How does the Law of Superposition work

• Oldest on top, newest on bottom

• oldest on bottom, newest on top

What type of rock do fossils form in?

• igneous

• metamorphic

• sedimentary

Which is the correct order for fossil formation?

• Animal dies and skeleton is buried by sediment, sediment hardens into sedimentary rock, skeleton dissolves (mold forms), minerals deposit into the mold

• Animal dies and skeleton is buried in sediment, skeleton dissolves and forms a mold, minerals fill the mold, sediment hardens into sedimentary rock.

• Animal dies and skeleton is buried in sediment, minerals fill the mold, sediment hardens into sedimentary rock, skeleton dissolves (mold forms)

In which era would you most likely NOT find any fossils?

• Precambrian

• Paleozoic

• Mesozoic

• Cenozoic

What can FOSSILS teach us?

• When organisms came into existence

• When an organism went extinct

• What type of organisms existed at the same time

• How an organism has changed over time

• All of the above

Looking at geologic time can also tell us about the ENVIRONMENT during certain periods of time

• True

• False

Fossils are found in SEDIMENTARY rock

• True

• False

The complexity of life _________________ throughout Earth's history

• INCREASES

• DECREASES

• STAYS THE SAME