Geologic Time

Examine the diagram, which shows a stack of rock layers.  These layers have NOT changed position since they formed.  The fossils in Layer 3 are _______. 

• older than the fossils in Layer 1 and younger than the fossils in Layer 5

• younger than the fossils in Layer 4 and older than the fossils in Layer 2

• younger than the fossils in Layer 2 and older than the fossils in Layer 1

• older than the fossils in Layer 4 and younger than the fossils in Layer 2

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The Grand Canyon has many layers of Earth exposed for everyone to observe.  What can scientists learn from how these layers are sequenced?

• part of the geologic history of that area

• future geologic events

• the number of organisms that lived in that area

• the impact that visitors have had on the park over time

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The diagram ABOVE represents a cross-section of earth material that contains different fossil records.  WHICH of the following questions could be answered by a scientist studying the layers of this diagram?

• What did Trilobites eat?

• Which organisms lived at the same time?

• Are reptiles ancestors of birds?

• Why did dinosaurs become extinct?

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which of the following explains how erosion helps scientists learn more about past geological events?

• It changes the path and shape of rivers.

• It creates new layers of sedimentary rock.

• It breaks large rock samples into smaller pebbles.

• It reveals the relative position of rocks and fossils so they can be studied.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

What can we learn by studying fossils?

• how earthquakes were formed

• how erosion changed mountain ranges

• how the earth's magnetic field was formed

• how the earth's environments have changed

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Geologists have divided Earth's history into sections of time. They call this geologic time scale. Which of the following sequences places the order of the sections from SMALLEST to LARGEST?

• periods - eons -epochs - eras

• eons - eras - periods - epochs

• epochs - periods - eras - eons

• eras - periods - eons - epochs

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The fossil record provide important scientific information.  What can scientists learn by studying fossils?

• how an organism changed over time

• how many off-spring an organism produced

• how an organism changed an environment

• how an organism will respond to future environmental changes

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A fossil of a fish was found embedded in a layer of rock that is near the top of a mountain.  What might a scientist conclude about the history of this area?

• an earthquake once struck this area

• a volcano once erupted in the area

• a sea once covered the area

• a lush forest covered the area

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which of the following fossil discoveries best demonstrates a change in the Earth's climate?

• Scientists find an area that contains a variety of plant fossils, but no animal fossils.

• Scientists find a large amount of fossils of tropical plants and animals in a desert.

• Scientists discover fossils of straight teeth buried below fossils of curved teeth. 

• Scientists discover a large amount of fossils of marine life near the shore. 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Scientists use logic to determine how old one geologic feature is, relative to another.  Which of the following is a correct example of this type of thinking?

• Thicker sedimentary rock layers are older than thinner layers.

• Volcanic layers are thought to be younger than thinner layers.

• A fault that breaks apart a rock layer is older than the layer.

• Sedimentary layers on top of other features are thought to be younger. 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4