Fossils and Stratigraphy

Which undisturbed rock layers are most likely to contain fossils resembling existing species?

• layers on the top

• layers on the bottom

• layers nearest to oceans

• layers nearest to volcanoes

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What could best explain the youngest layer of a rock formation not being on top?

• snowstorms

• folding, breaking & uplifting of layers

• erosion

• hurricanes

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Scientists studying rock layers identify the top layer as the most recent, followed by older layers that are covered as they dig deeper. Which law describes this method of relative dating?

• law of geologic continuity

• law of superposition

• law of universal position

• law of lateral continuity

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

How are the characteristics of index fossils useful to geologists?

• They can define the relative ages of rock layers.

• They can define the absolute ages of rock layers.

• They can define the climate that killed the organism.

• They can define the exact area in which the fossil formed.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Over the course of Earth's history, organisms

• have not changed

• have become simpler

• have become more complex

• have moved from exclusively on land into water

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Why is petrified wood considered to be a fossil?

• It was once living matter.

• It is composed of hardened wood.

• It is made entirely of rock material.

• It was scared into being one.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What is the best description for how trace fossils are different from fossil of organism's remains?

• Trace fossils are part of the original organism.

• Trace fossils are fossilized teeth of an animal.

• Trace fossils are fossilized tracks and other evidence of an organism's activities.

Which would least likely be an Earth process that has influenced the formation of rock layers and fossil formation?

• air masses forming clouds

• movement of crustal plates

• high levels of soil erosion

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

A fault cuts through four successive rock layers. Which is most likely true?

• The fault is older that all four layers.

• The fault is younger than all four layers.

• The fault is older than the bottom two layers and younger than the top two layers.

• The fault developed at the same time as the rock layers were deposited.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

A man visits a rock quarry and finds fossils of seashells. The quarry is 500 miles from the ocean. The fossils best indicate that

• The area was once below sea level.

• Global temperature changed over time.

• Erosion took place after a flood.

• Volcanic activity affected the area.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2