Geologic History

The division of Earth's geologic history into units of time called eons, eras, periods, and epochs is based on

• seismic data

• absolute dating techniques

• fossil evidence

• climatic changes

What is the inferred age of our solar system, in millions of years?

• 1300

• 4600

• 10000

• 544

Which two types of organisms both survived the mass extinction that occurred at the end of the Permian Period?

• gastropods and eurypterids

• placoderm fish and graptolites

• corals and vascular plants

• trilobites and nautiloids

According to the fossil record, which of the following sequences correctly represents the evolution of life on Earth?

• soft bodied organisms --> amphibians --> fish --> mammals

• soft bodied organisms --> fish --> amphibians --> mammals

• fish --> soft bodied organisms --> mammals --> amphibians

• fish --. amphibians --> mammals -- > soft bodied organisms

Which sequence shows the correct order of Earth's geologic time intervals from oldest to youngest?

• Archean --> Proterozoic --> Paleozoic --> Mesozoic --> Cenozoic

• Cenozoic --> Mesozoic --> Paleozoic --> Proterozoic --> Archean

• Archean --> Mesozoic --> Cenozoic --> Paleozoic --> Proterozoic

• Cenozoic --> Paleozoic --> Archean --> Mesozoic --> Proterozoic

Scientists have inferred that Earth's original atmosphere was formed by the

• outgassing from Earth's interior

• erosion of Earth's surface

• decay of microorganisms in Earth's oceans

• radioactive decay of elements in Earth's core

Which geologic event occurred during the sane geological period as the first appearance of modern corals in Earth's oceans?

• Grenville Orogeny

• formation of the Catskill delta

• intrusion of Palisades sill

• Acadian Orogeny

The presence of brachiopod, nautiloid, and coral fossils in the surface bedrock of a certain area indicates the area was once covered by

• ocean water

• glacial deposits

• volcanic ash

• tropical vegetation

During which period in geologic history did the uplifting of the Adirondack Mountains begin?

• Triassic

• Cambrian

• Quaternary

• Cretaceous

During which geologic epoch do scientists infer that the earliest grasses first appeared on Earth?

• Oligocene

• Eocene

• Pleistocene

• Holocene