8.E.2.1

The diagram shows fossils and rock features. How does intrusion X compare to the ages of the other rock layers and fossils in this geologic column?

• Intrusion X is younger than the broadleaf and fern fossils.

• Intrusion X is older than layers Y and Z.

• Intrusion X is younger than all the layers.

• Intrusion X is older than the clam and broadleaf fossils.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The diagram shows a series of rock layers and fossils. Which is true?

• Intrusion X is younger than layers Z and Y.

• Layer W is older than intrusion X.

• The broadleaf fossil is older than the fern fossil.

• The clam fossil is younger than the reptile bone fossil.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The diagram shows fossils and rock features. Which is younger than the clam fossil? (a)  

• Reptile bone
• Layer Z
• Broadleaf
• Intrusion X

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The diagram shows fossils and rock features. Which is younger than the broadleaf fossil? (a)  

• intrusion X
• layer Z
• layer Y
• fern fossil

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Sedimentary rocks are formed from the particles of a wide variety of pre-existing rocks. This makes it likely that the radioactive particles in each layer of sedimentary rock come from rocks of different ages. So, radiometric dating is used differently with sedimentary rock than it is with igneous rock. When dating sedimentary rock, scientists date the layers of volcanic ash above and below a sedimentary layer. Once they know the age of the sandwiching layers, they can estimate the age of the sedimentary layer between them. The table shows information about ash layers above and below a sedimentary rock. Potassium-40 is a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 1.3 billion years. Argon-40 is its daughter product. Using the principles of absolute and relative dating, which of the following is a possible age of the sedimentary layer?

• 1.5 billion years old

• 0.65 billion years old

• 1.1 billion years old

• 2.8 billion years old

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The diagram shows different layers of sedimentary rock. Each layer is labeled with a letter. Which statement correctly describes the relative ages of the rock layers shown in the diagram?

• Layer I is older than Layer B.

• The left part of Layer B is younger than the right part.

• The left part of Layer F is the same age as Layer M.

• Layer R is older than Layer M.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

A teacher gave students this diagram of rock layers. The teacher directed the students to determine the relative age of each rock layer based only on the information presented in the diagram. Which method can BEST be used by the students to determine the relative age of these layers? (a)  

• the law of superposition
• radiometric dating
• rock type evaluation
• principle of uniformitarianism

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Use this geologic profile to answer the following question. Which of the following BEST describes the fossil at Point 3 when compared with the fossils at Points 1 and 2?

• The fossil at Point 3 is older.

• The fossil at Point 3 is less common.

• The fossil at Point 3 is smaller.

• The fossil at Point 3 is more complex.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Scientists are analyzing a recently unearthed fossil using radiometric dating techniques. Twenty-five percent of the original uranium-235 in the sample has decayed into lead-207. Scientists determine that the fossil is MOST likely from which Paleozoic period? (a)  

• Permian
• Devonian
• Silurian
• Cambrian

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

A geologist uncovered a fossil while digging in the side of a hill. He hypothesized that it was MOST likely from the end of the Paleozoic era or the beginning of the Mesozoic era. How old would the fossil have to be dated in order to support his hypothesis?

• 225 million years old

• 100 million years old

• 400 million years old

• 550 million years old

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4