Geology Quiz

What does the principle of uniformitarianism state?

• Geologic processes that occur today are entirely different from those in the past.

• Geologic processes that occur today are similar to those that occurred in the past.

• The Earth's surface has remained unchanged over time.

• All rock layers are of the same age.

Which term refers to the numerical age of a rock or object?

• Relative age

• Absolute age

• Index fossil

• Original horizontality

According to the principle of superposition, which rocks are the oldest?

• The rocks in the middle layer

• The rocks in the top layer

• The rocks in the bottom layer

• The rocks that contain fossils

What are fossils?

• Newly formed rock layers

• The preserved remains or evidence of past living organisms

• Rocks that have been eroded

• Sediments deposited in horizontal layers

What term describes the extinction of many species on Earth within a short period of time?

• Cross-cutting relationships

• Lateral continuity

• Mass extinctions

• Inclusions

What is a geologic time scale?

• A chart that divides Earth's history into different time units based on changes in the rocks and fossils

• A method used to determine the relative age of rocks

• A principle that most rock-forming materials are deposited in horizontal layers

• A piece of older rock that becomes a part of a new rock

Which principle states that sediments are deposited in large, continuous sheets in all lateral directions?

• Original horizontality

• Lateral continuity

• Unconformities

• Correlation

What is an index fossil?

• A fossil representative of a species that existed for a short length of time, was abundant, and inhabited many locations

• A rock layer with distinctive characteristics

• A piece of an older rock that becomes a part of a new rock

• A method used by geologists to fill in the missing gaps in an area's rock record

What is the principle of lateral continuity?

• Layers of sediment are originally deposited horizontally

• Layers of sediment extend laterally in all directions

• Layers of sediment are deposited at an angle

• Layers of sediment are deposited vertically

What is an index fossil?

• A fossil representative of a species that existed for a short length of time, was abundant, and inhabited many locations

• A fossil that is found only in one location

• A fossil that existed for a long period of time

• A fossil that is rare and difficult to find