Geologic Time Scale Quiz

Who published the first laws of stratigraphy?

• Danish scientist

• William Smith

• Giovanni Arduino

• Nicolas Steno

What did Giovanni Arduino do to contribute to the Geologic Time Scale?

• Discovered fossils

• Identified and described episodes in life's history

• Studied the Italian Alps

• Named the layers of rock

How did William Smith determine the age of rocks?

• By studying the layers of rock

• By comparing the remains of ancient organisms

• By analyzing the composition of rocks

• By measuring the depth of rock layers

What is the name of the first Eon in the Geologic Time Scale?

• Proterozoic

• Archean

• Hadean

• Phanerozoic

What is the significance of the Cambrian explosion?

• It wiped out most of the land vertebrates and marine species

• It marked the appearance of complex animals with mineralized remains

• It caused a major extinction event

• It led to the diversification of reptiles

Which era is known as the Age of Reptiles?

• Cenozoic Era

• Phanerozoic Era

• Mesozoic Era

• Paleozoic Era

What caused the K-Pg Extinction Event?

• Human activity

• Asteroid impact

• Climate change

• Gigantic volcanic eruptions

What era marks the rise of mammals?

• Phanerozoic Era

• Cenozoic Era

• Mesozoic Era

• Paleozoic Era

What is the current era we are in?

• Cenozoic Era

• Mesozoic Era

• Phanerozoic Era

• Paleozoic Era

In the Paleozoic era, which organism was so common and widespread that is was used as an index fossil?

• trilobite
• saber-toothed tiger
• mammoth
• dinosaur