Earth Systems Review 1

Place the following in order starting with the OLDEST

1  Paleozoic
2  Cenozoic
3  Precambrian
4  Mesozoic

• 1 3 2 4 

• 4 3 2 1 

• 3 1 4 2

• 
  2 3 1 4

What are fossils that are abundant, easily recognizable, short lived, and widespread called?

• Preserved fossils

• Index fossils

• Imprints

• Radioactive dating

Which era is know as the age of invertebrates, fish, amphibians?

• Paleozoic

• Mesozoic

• 
  Cenozoic

• Precambrian

What does absolute age tell us about a rock layer or fossil?

• The relative age of a fossil determined by radiometric dating

• Younger rock layers sit on top of older rock layers

• The relative age of a fossil determined by radiometric dating

• The 'exact' age of a fossil determined by radiometric dating

The following image shows a distrubance in the sedimentary rock layer.

• Instrusion

• Fault

• Folding

• Unconformity

In which time period are we currently living?

• Precambrian Time

• Paleozoic Era

• Mesozoic Era

• Cenozoic Era

Dinosaurs, small mammals, and birds are found in this time period.

• Precambrian Time

• Paleozoic Era

• Mesozoic Era

• Cenozoic Era

Which era ended with the largest mass extinction in Earth's history, leading to the demise of about 90% of all species?

• Paleozoic Era

• Mesozoic Era

• Cenozoic Era

• Precambrian Time

Which layer is the oldest?

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 rock, 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.