Rock Layers and Fossils

What are fossils that are abundant, easily recognizable, short lived, and widespread called?

• Preserved fossils

• Index fossils

• Imprints

• Radioactive dating

Which of the fossils is the oldest?

• Trilobite

• Fish

• Plant

• Mammal

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What does relative age tell us about a rock layer or fossil?

• The age of one rock layer or fossil compared to another.

• The relative age of a fossil determined by radiometric dating

• Younger rock layers sit on top of older rock layers

• 
  Older rock layers sit on top of younger rock layers

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What does absolute age tell us about a rock layer or fossil?

• The 'exact' age of a fossil determined by radiometric dating

• The relative age of a fossil determined by radiometric dating

• Younger rock layers sit on top of older rock layers

• Older rock layers sit on top of younger rock layers

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

A scientist finds an index fossil in layers of rock in both Africa and South America. What does this indicate about the ages of the rocks?

• the African rock is older

• the South American rock is older

• the rocks are younger than the fossils

• the rocks are about the same age

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Most fossils are found in __________ rock layers

• Dirt

• sedimentary

• metamorphic

• ice

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

If the same sequence of rock layers is observed over a large area, ____.

• they are probably not related

• a large deposit of rock formed over a large area

• conditions of formation were probably very different

• it is just a coincidence

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

In undisturbed rock layers, the oldest rocks are on the bottom.

• correlation

• superposition

• uniform

• unconformity

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The Law of Superposition states

• Younger rocks layers are on top of older rock layers

• Fossils are found in sedimentary rocks

• Older rock layers are on top of younger rock layers

• Absolute age dating

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Why are rocky outcrops important for geologists?

• They provide a place to rest

• They contain valuable minerals

• They expose layers of rock that can be studied

• They are rare and beautiful

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3