Evidence of Earth's Geological History Quiz

1. Which of these states the youngest layer will be on top and the oldest on the bottom?

• A Relative dating
• B Radioactive dating
• C The law of superposition
• D Earthquake location

2. The decay of uranium isotopes is used to provide what information about Earth’s history?

• A Fluctuations in solar radiation
• B The absolute age of rocks
• C Changes on climate over time
• D The diet of ancient animals

3. Mrs. Jones provides her class with an image that shows rock layers in their original order along with a fracture in some rock layers caused by an earthquake. She has asked students what information can be determined from these rock layers. An image is provided. Based on the evidence in the illustration, when did the earthquake occur?

• A Before Layer W was deposited
• B Before Layer X was deposited
• C After Layer Y was deposited
• D After Layer Z was deposited

4. What evidence supports the scientific theory that continents on Earth were at one time a part of a large supercontinent called Pangaea before they drifted apart?

• A Sediments found along the coasts of continents often were transported there by wind or moving water.
• B The plants and animals that live on the same continent can often look very different from their fossil ancestors.
• C The fossils of some kinds of organisms can only be found in one location on Earth.
• D In several locations, the shape of one continent matches the shape of a nearby continent like puzzle pieces.

5. Scientists use several processes to determine the age of rock layers and fossils in Earth. Which process can be used for absolute dating of fossils?

• A Relative dating
• B Radioactive dating
• C The law of superposition
• D Earthquake location

6. Stratigraphy is the study of rock layers and layering. An image of various sedimentary rock layers is provided. In which of the labeled sections of the sedimentary rock layers would the oldest rocks be on top of younger rocks?

• A Area A
• B Area B
• C Area C
• D Area D

7. Igneous Rocks are formed by:

• Lava Cooling
• Heat and Pressure
• Sediment from other rocks
• Weathering and Erosion

8. Metamorphic Rocks are formed by:

• Lava Cooling
• Heat and Pressure
• Sediment from other rocks
• Weathering and Erosion

9. Sedimentary Rocks are formed by:

• Laval Cooling
• Heat and Pressure
• Weathering and Erosion
• Magma from underground

10. True or False. The oldest sedimentary layers are closest to the surface?

• True
• False