Analyzing the Rock and Fossil Record

The principle of uniformitarianism states that sedimentary rocks are deposited in horizontal layers.

• true

• false

A scientist stated that rock layer C is the oldest and rock layer A is the youngest. Based on the scientist's conclusion, what can you infer about the geologic history of the rock layers?

• The fault line indicates the rock layers experienced an earthquake

• The rock layers did not experience any geologic disturbance because the layers are all horizontal

• C cannot be the oldest rock layer

• There is a younger intrusion

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The oldest rock layer in an undisturbed rock sequence occurs ____.

• at the bottom of the sequence

• below the sedimentary rock layer

• below the unconformity

• at the top of the sequence

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The principle of __________________states that, in an undisturbed sequence, the oldest rocks are at the bottom of the sequence and successive layers are younger than those below them.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The remains of living plants or animals are called fossils.

• true

• false

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Determining the order of events and the relative age of rocks by examining the position of rocks in a sequence is called ____.

• absolute age dating

• radiometric dating

• relative age dating

• radiocarbon dating

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The principle of superposition can be used to determine.

• the actual age of these rock layers

• the relative densities of these rock layers

• the actual temperatures of these rock layers

• the relative age of these rock layers

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The diagram shows a rock profile containing layers of different types of rock and igneous intrusions.

Which sequence lists the correct order of events in the area represented in the diagram?

• 1. Igneous intrusion Y formed.

  2. The shale layer was deposited.

  3. Igneous intrusion X formed.

  4. The limestone layer was deposited.

  5. The mudstone layer was deposited.

• 1. The mudstone layer was deposited.

  2. The limestone layer was deposited.

  3. The shale layer was deposited.

  4. Igneous intrusion Y cut into the mudstone, limestone, and shale.

  5. Igneous intrusion X cut into the mudstone, limestone, and shale.

• 1. Igneous intrusion X formed.

  2. Igneous intrusion Y formed.

  3. The shale layer was deposited.

  4. The limestone layer was deposited.

  5. The mudstone layer was deposited.

• 1. The layer of mudstone was deposited.

  2. The layer of limestone was deposited.

  3. Igneous intrusion Y cut into the mudstone and limestone.

  4. The shale layer was deposited.

  5. Igneous intrusion X cut into the mudstone, limestone, and shale.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Simple fossils are found in older and younger rock layers while complex fossils are not found in the oldest layers. This shows

• Life started out as simple organisms and evolved to include more complex organisms over time.

• Life started out with complex organisms. This is shown in the rock layers.

• There are no fossils in the older layers, deep in the Earth's crust.

• Nobody knows why complex fossils aren't in the rock layers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

When an organism disappears from the fossil record we know it went __________________.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1