Fossil Record

According to the law of superposition, which layer is the youngest?

• A
• B
• C

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The diagram below represents several sedimentary layers of Earth’s crust after erosion from a river has exposed some of the lower layers. 
Which would be the most significant benefit to a scientist studying Earth’s past at this location?

• Scientists would be able to determine that volcanic activity was present during the time of the oldest exposed sediment layer.
• Scientists would be able to determine if the rocks were metamorphic or igneous.
• Scientists would be able to determine if there was water at this location.
• Scientists would be able to look at fossilized remains of past life dating back to the oldest exposed layer of sediment.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The diagram below shows a stack of rock layers.  
Layer R contains a well-known index fossil that is 100 million years old. Based on this information and the law of superposition, you can make the following claim.

• Layers T and M are younger than 100 million years.Layers X and G are older than 100 million years.
• Layers T, M, X, and G are all younger than 100 million years.
• Layers T, M, X, and G are all older than 100 million years.
• Layers T and M are older than 100 million years.Layers X and G are younger than 100 million years.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Compare the fossil layers shown below.

Which organisms are most likely to be the same approximate age?

• 1 and 3

• 3 and 5

• 2 and 4

• 5 and 6

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Two fossils that appear to be from the same type of organism are found in two different layers of rock. The layers of rock are shown below.

Which can be determined from the location of the fossils?

• The prey of organisms

• The predators of the organism

• The cause of death for each organism

• The relative age of each organism

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

According to the law of superposition, the oldest fossils are found 

• At the top of the rock layers
• Near the bottom of the rock layers
• In the middle of the rock layers
• Somewhat near the surface

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

_{Which rock layer in the diagram seems to be the oldest?}

• F
• E
• B
• A

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

An archaeologist made the following diagram of a dig site. What can be said about the pottery as compared to the skull found in the site?

• The rock layer with the pottery is more recent than the rock layer with the skull.
• The rock layer with the skull is more recent than the rock layer with the pottery.
• The rock layer with the skull is approximately the same age as the rock layer with the pottery.
• The rock layer with the skull has an absolute date of 17,000 years.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Look at the diagram, what layer did animal E first show up in?         

• Layers #4
• Layers #5
• Layers #6
• Layers #7

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which rock layer in the diagram seems to be the oldest?

• F
• E
• B
• A

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4