Geologic Time Review

Which statement best describes the Law of Superposition?

• Each sedimentary layer of rock represents 1,000 years of Earth's age, much like the rings of a tree.
• In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rocks, the upper rock layers are older than the lower rock layers.
• In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the lowest layers contain the older rocks.
• Rocks that form near volcanoes are older than surrounding rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

How does the law of crosscutting explain the age of a fault?

• The fault is younger than the rocks above it.
• The fault is younger than the rocks it cuts through.
• The fault is older than the rocks above it.
• The fault is older than the rocks it cuts through.

A break in the geologic record that is made when rock layers are eroded over a long period of time

• Law of Superposition
• Law of Crosscutting
• Relative Dating
• Unconformity

Traces or remains of organisms that lived long ago

• Fossil
• Unconformity
• Superposition
• Column

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Analyze the seashell found in the white layer.  Which statement is true of the rock layer that contains this fossil?

• It could also contain a fossil from the bottom layer.
• It is older than the layers below it.
• It is younger than the layers above it.
• It is older than the layers above it.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

How do geologists use relative dating?

• Placing rocks in order from youngest to oldest
• Placing rocks in order by minerals they contain
• Classifying rocks by different textures
• Classifying rocks by different isotopes

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

How old is the Earth?

• 4.6 billion years
• 1.4 billion years
• 4.6 million years
• 6000 years

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The largest expanse of time on the geologic time scale is the

• eon..

• epoch

• era

• period

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

On the geologic time scale, eras are divided into:

• periods
• eras

• epochs

• eons

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What percentage of Earth's 4.5 billion-year history is represented by Precambrian time?

• 88%

• 65%

• 50%

• 95%

Answer explanation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4