Earth's Formation and Early History

The diagram shows different layers of sedimentary rock. Each layer is labeled with a letter.

• The left part of Layer B is younger than the right part.

• The left part of Layer F is the same age as Layer M.

• Layer R is older than Layer M

• Layer I is older than Layer B

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The geologic map below shows several rock formations exposed when a road is cut through a hillside.

Which formation in this geological map is youngest?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which method would be BEST for scientists to use to determine the absolute age of a Precambrian igneous rock?

• Index fossils

• law of superposition

• radiometric dating

• law of original horizontality

A teacher gave students this diagram of rock layers. The teacher directed the students to determine the relative age of each rock layer based only on the information presented in the diagram.

Which method can BEST be used by the students to determine the relative age of these layers?

• radiometric dating

• rock type evaluation

• the law of superposition

• principle of uniformitarianism

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The Earth formed ​ (a)  

• 4.6 billion years ago

• 2 million years ago

• 70 million years ago

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Scientists think Earth formed in three different stages. Order them correctly.

• First Stage

• Bombardment

• Second Stage

• Accretion

• Third Stage

• Collision

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

Certain fossils can be used to help determine the age of the rock layer in which the fossils are found. Which type of fossil is BEST to use when making this determination?

• marine mammal fossil

• swamp fern fossil

• trace fossil

• index fossil

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which of the following BEST describes the fossil at Point 3 when compared with the fossils at Points 1 and 2?

• The fossil at Point 3 is less common

• The fossil at Point 3 is smaller.

• The fossil at Point 3 is older.

• The fossil at Point 3 is more complex

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Structural geologists study rock formations to determine the type of environment in which the rocks formed and the events that shaped the rocks. Paleontologists study fossils found in rock formations. Scientists in both these fields have a common interest in discovering the:

• history and processes of Earth.

• elements that make up the crust.

• types of minerals that make up sediments.

• relationships between Earth and other planets.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A student has made the geologic column that you see here.

• fossils

• soil type

• environment

• plate tectonics

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1