Geologic Time Scale

The geologic time scale is a record of _________

• the thickness of sedimentary rock layers

• The rate of fossil formation

• The life forms and geological events of Earth's history

• The time since the evolution of dinosaurs

The relative age of rock is _________

• Its age compared to the age of other rocks

• Less than the age of the fossils the rock contains

• The number of years since the rock formed

• Its age based on how much Carbon-14 the rock contains

What does absolute age tell us about fossils and rock strata?

• the actual age in numbers

• a comparison age (1 thing is older than another thing)

• what should be used as an "index fossil"

• how the rock strata was formed

Which is an example of absolute age?

• My baby brother is younger than I

• England is older than the USA

• Dinosaurs fossils are really old

• My dad is 42

Which is an example of relative age?

• My grandmother is 67

• The students are 12-13 years old

• I am younger than my mother

• My dog is 7

How do index fossils help geologists in dating rock layers

• They help determine relative age of different rock layers

• They help determine absolute age of different rock layers

• They are one of the laws of stratigraphy

• They don't help geologists at all

What would it mean if the same index fossil is found in rock strata in 2 different places?

• nothing

• they layers are not related

• the layers area about the same age

• index fossils aren't found in different places

If a student used the analogy of her stacking books in her locker, which law of relative dating is she referring to?

• Law of Superposition

• Law of Crosscutting

• Law of Inclusions

• Law of Inertia

Which statement is incorrect about the Geological Time Scale?

• It is believed that the moon was created very soon after the Earth was created.

• Prokaryotes showed up on Earth long before reptiles and small plants.

• Modern humans have only been on Earth for a tiny fraction of Earth’s existence.

• Dinosaurs showed up just after the Earth was created.

Preserved remains of plants and animals from the distant past are called what?

• rock strata

• rock layers

• ammorites

• fossils