Fossil Records and Index Fossils

How do scientists determine the actual age of fossils?

• relative dating

• sedimentary dating

• radioactive dating

• mold and cast dating

Finding the fossils of trees in an area that is currently a desert without much life might tell us that the area, millions of years ago - 

• was heavily eroded by strong winds

• received enough rain to support a forest

• suffered very powerful earthquakes

• was destroyed by the impact of meteorites

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Preserved remains or traces of living things?

• fossils

• organisms

• extinct

• rocks

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

These fossils are distinguishable from other fossils because they were scattered over a large region, very common, and lived during a short span of geologic time

• Mold

• Cast

• Trace

• Index

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Scientists who study fossils?

• scientist

• paleontologist

• astronaut

• mrs. simao

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Remains can be preserved by?

• changing over time

• staying the same

• tar, amber, ice

• freezing only

The fossil record shows?

• groups of organisms have become extinct

• groups of organisms change over time

• have died and came back to life

• evolved into another species

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

This type of fossil forms when sediments bury an organism and then sediments change into rock; the organism decays leaving a cavity in the shape of the organism.

• Mold

• Cast

• Trace

• Petrified

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Most fossils are found in __________ rock layers

• Dirt

• sedimentary

• metamorphic

• ice

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What type of fossil is pictured?

• Cast

• Mold

• Trace

• Petrified

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1