Earth History Review

The diagram below represents a stack of rock layers. These layers have not changed position since they formed. If the age of layer 4 is 400 million years and the age of layer 1 is 500 million years, then the age of Layer 2 is

• younger than 400 million years.

• 400 million years.

• older than 500 million years.

• between 400 million and 500 million years.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

An index fossil represents a species that lived during

• several intervals of Earth's history.

• Earth's entire history.

• a short interval of Earth's history.

• a long interval of Earth's history.

Which of the following events occurred last to produce this rock column?

• layer A was deposited

• layer B was deposited

• layer C was deposited

• igneous intrusion D cross-cut layers

• fault E offset existing layers

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which of the following is a list of Earth's geologic eras from most ancient to most recent?

• Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic, Precambrian

• Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic

• Precambrian, Mesozoic, Paleozoic, Cenozoic

• Paleozoic, Precambrian, Mesozoic, Cenozoic

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

If scientists find an ice core from 30,000 years ago that contains chemicals radically different than the chemicals that are around today, they would likely conclude that...

• these chemicals are abundant today.

• the atmosphere 30,000 years ago was different than our atmosphere today.

• the number of layers they counted in the ice core was incorrect.

• the atmosphere never changes its composition.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

According to the law of superposition, younger layers of rock are generally found above older layers of rock. However, there are locations where older layers are found above younger layers. Which of the following can cause this to happen?

• Rock layers can overturn as they are folded.

• During uplift, rock layers can tilt enough to overturn.

• Older rock layers can slide above younger rock layers along faults.

• all of these

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

In states along the Gulf of Mexico, fossilized seashells from millions of years ago are often found on land many kilometers from the shore. These fossils are evidence that

• the Gulf shoreline was farther inland in the past.

• seashells are formed by land creatures.

• the Gulf shoreline was farther out to sea in the past.

• the Gulf shoreline's location has not changed.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which is the best reason for scientists to study ice cores obtained from Earth’s ice caps?

• to evaluate potential oil drilling sites

• to study the quality of water stored in glaciers

• to determine the rate of melting in polar regions

• to study past climates by analyzing trapped gases and particles

Which lists the rock layers and fault in order from oldest to youngest?

• A. Q, R, S, T, V

• Q, V, R, S, T

• T, S, V, R, Q

• V, T, S, R, Q

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

A geologist identifies the identical index fossils in rock layers from two different areas. Which conclusion is best supported by this discovery?

• The deposition rate of the two rock layers was identical.

• The fossil organism evolved independently in the two separate areas.

• The two rock layers were deposited at approximately the same time.

• The index fossil will also occur in sediment deposited on top of these rock layers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3