Geologic Cross Section

A student makes a model of a geologic cross section of rock layers that includes fossils. He places different types of soil (sand, garden soil, and clay) into a glass jar to represent different rock layers, and he places different color marbles (yellow, green, blue, and red) in the soil to represent different types of fossils. Which marble in the model represents the oldest fossil?

• the blue marble

• the green marble

• the red marble

• the yellow marble

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Examine the image of a rock collected and studied by scientists. Which question can scientists answer by examining the composition of the rock?

• When will the next volcanic eruption occur in the region where the rock was collected?

• When will the next earthquake occur in the region where the rock was collected?

• How has Earth’s surface changed over time in the region where the rock was collected?

• How has Earth’s climate changed over time in the region where the rock was collected?

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The image shows a section of rock layers having experienced a variety of events. Which event occurred first?

• Movement at fault A

• Intrusion of Layer E

• Formation of Layers D,C, and B

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Analyze the layers of undisturbed sedimentary rock. In which rock layer would the oldest fossils be found?

• Q

• R

• T

• U

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The diagram shows two outcrops obtained from two different regions. A student labels each of the rock layers, as shown. Which is the youngest layer of the two outcrops?

• A

• E

• H

• K

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What information can be learned about a fossil using the Law of Superposition?

• the age of the fossil compared to other fossils

• the species to which the fossil belongs

• the diet of the organism from which the fossil was formed

• the behaviors of the organism from which the fossil was formed

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What must be true in order for a species to serve as an index fossil?

• The species must have only lived in a small geographic area.

• The species must have only lived for a short period of geologic time.

• The species must not be extinct.

• The species must look similar to several other species.

A student makes a cross-section clay model to represent the internal structure of a volcano that leads to the formation of two rocks (X and Y). The student records the processes that affect the type of rock that is formed in a table. Which process(es) cause(s) the rock formed at location X to be different from the rock formed at location Y?

• 1 only

• 2 only

• 1 and 3

• 2 and 3

A student examines a cross section of an area with a rock layer labeled X. What is the best description of rock layer X?

• It is an igneous rock layer that is older than the sedimentary rock around it.

• It is an igneous rock layer that is younger than the sedimentary rock around it.

• It is a sedimentary rock layer that is older than the igneous rock around it.

• It is a sedimentary rock layer that is younger than the igneous rock around it.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The image shows the rock cycle and the associated processes leading to the formation of two kinds of rocks labeled rock 1 and rock 2. What are the types of rocks formed?

• Rock 1 is an intrusive igneous, and rock 2 is an extrusive sedimentary.

• Rock 1 is an extrusive igneous, and rock 2 is an intrusive sedimentary.

• Rock 1 is an intrusive sedimentary, and rock 2 is an extrusive sedimentary.

• Rock 1 is an intrusive igneous, and rock 2 is an extrusive igneous.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1