Geology Quiz

Which of the following could provide the best evidence for a scientist to figure out if rock layers from different areas are the same relative age?

• The color of the rock layers

• The type of rock found in the layers

• The presence of the same index fossils in the layers

• The thickness of the rock layers

How old is the Earth?

• Approximately 4.6 billion years

• Approximately 2.5 billion years

• Approximately 6.5 billion years

• Approximately 3.5 billion years

Which type of rock can be dated using radiometric dating?

• Sedimentary rocks

• Metamorphic rocks

• Igneous rocks

• All of the above

What method of radiometric dating is most useful for dating shells, wood, or other organic remains of once living organisms?

• Uranium-lead dating

• Potassium-argon dating

• Radiocarbon dating

• Rubidium-strontium dating

What is the difference between absolute dating and relative dating?

• Absolute dating provides a perfect age, while relative dating provides a close age based on other things

• Absolute dating is less accurate than relative dating

• Relative dating can be used on any type of rock, while absolute dating cannot

• Absolute dating is based on the Law of Superposition, while relative dating is not

What does the Law of Superposition state?

• Older layers of rock are found below younger layers

• Younger layers of rock are found below older layers

• All rock layers are of the same age

• The deepest rock layers are the youngest

What are fossils?

• Remains of ancient artifacts

• Imprints of prehistoric life preserved in rock

• Modern animal skeletons

• Historical documents

Scientists have discovered dinosaur fossils that have evidence of feathers. Some scientists think the feathers might have kept the dinosaurs warm. If so, in what type of environment did these dinosaurs probably live?

• Tropical

• Desert

• Cold

• Temperate