Geologic Record

In 1897, a British scientist proposed that Earth was between 20 and 400 million years old. Based on radiometric dating, scientists now propose a different age for Earth. Based on the most current radiometric dating data, about how old is Earth? (You may use your geologic time scale.)

• 40 billion years old
• 20 billion years old 
• 4.6 billion years old 
• 4.6 million years old 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which of these choices is an example of the way a geologist would use relative dating?

• determining the minerals that make up rocks
• placing rock layers in order of oldest to youngest
• classifying rocks as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic 
• using radioactive isotopes to determine the exact age of rock samples 

A geologist is studying three layers of sedimentary rock in an area. The geologist records the relative ages of the rocks. The bottom layer is listed as the oldest. The top layer is listed as the youngest. What did the geologist use to determine the relative ages of the rocks?

• mineral content 
• radioactive decay 
• the law of superposition 
• the principle of unconformity 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which of the following provides the most useful information for determining the absolute ages of rocks?

• Half life of radioactive elements
• Relative positions of rock layers 
• Measurements of fossil bones 
• Chemical analysis of crystals 

The law of superposition states:

• Energy isn't created or destroyed, it is simply changes form
• Each rock layer is older than the layer above it
• Fossils are only as old as the rock layer they are found in
• Intrusions are younger than the rock layer they are found in

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Absolute age is defined as:

• The age of rock determined by radiometric dating.
• The age of rock based on living animals.
• The age of rock based on its location.
• The age of rock determined by carbon dating. 

The age of a rock compared to the ages of other rocks is the rock's

• absolute age
• geologic age
• sedimentary age
• relative age

Which of the following correctly lists the layers in order from oldest to youngest?

• A, B, C, D, E
• E, B, C, D, A
• E, D, C, B, A
• C, B, A, D, E

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which rock layer or intrusion is the youngest?

• A
• B
• C
• D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Trilobites are good index fossils because.... (pick the best answer).

• abundant, large
• abundant, widespread geographically, and only lived a short time
• only lived for a short time period
• were large
  carbonized

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1