Relative Dating, Ordering of Rock Layers, and Index Fossils

To be considered an index fossil, a fossil must be rare (found in select places).

• True
• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

To be considered an index fossil, it had to have lived for a relatively short period of time.

• True
• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Index fossils CAN tell us the age of a rock layer.

• True
• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which best describes a fossil that helps determine the relative age of a rock layer?

• trace fossil
• index fossil
• radioactive fossil
• unconformity fossil

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The index fossil of a type of trilobite is discovered in layer A of a set of rock layers found at three different sites of a field investigation. Which conclusion can be made about the rocks in layer A at all three sites?

• The rocks are all different ages
• The rocks are all about the same age
• The rocks were formed from melting magma
• The rocks were formed during a catastrophic event

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Volcanic ash can be used as a time marker to correlate rock layers because the ash

• is deposited rapidly over a large area

• represents a buried erosional surface

• forms intrusive igneous rock

• cuts across rock layers

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which statement best supports the inference that most of Earth's present-day land surfaces have, at one time, been covered by water?

• Volcanic eruptions contain large amounts of water vapor

• Coral reefs formed, in the past, along the edges of many continents

• Seafloor spreading has pulled landmasses apart and pushed them together.

• Sedimentary bedrock of marine origin covers large areas of Earth's continents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What lettered rock layer is the youngest?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

When the rock layers in the three outcrops are correlated, the oldest layer is the

• shale layer in outcrop I

• siltstone layer in outcrop II

• limestone layer in outcrop III

• conglomerate layer in outcrop III

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which fossil could be classified as an index fossil?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3