Geological Time and Fossils

Fossil

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

a fossil of a footprint, trail, burrow, or other trace of an animal rather than of the animal itself.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

fossils of widely distributed organisms that lived during only one short period

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What has to be true about an index fossil?

• It lived for a long period of time.

• It lived for a short period of time.

• It is hard to find.

• It can only be found in one location.

Mason and Clara are geologists who are digging for fossils. As they locate fossils, they map the location of them to help other geologists understand Earth’s history and how life on Earth has changed over time. Mason locates a gastropod and makes the claim, “Gastropods are index fossils”. Clara disagrees with Mason. Which of the following best supports Clara’s disagreement?

• If a fossil is to be considered an index fossil, the organism must have lived only a short period of time. Since the Gastropod lived a long period of time it is not an index fossil.

• To be an index fossil, the fossil of the organism must be found in many rock layers. Since the Gastropod is not found in every layer, it cannot be an index fossil.

• An index fossil must be found over a wide area of the earth. Since the Gastropod is widely spread, it cannot be an index fossil.

• To be classified an index fossil, the fossil must be unique. Since the Gastropod is not unique, it cannot be an index fossil.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The diagram represents the rock layers and fossils found in four separate rock outcrops.

Which fossil is the best index fossil?

• 
• 
• 
• 

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Mason and Clara are geologists who are digging for fossils. As they locate fossils, they map the location of them to help other geologists understand Earth’s history and how life on Earth has changed over time. Mason locates a gastropod and makes the claim, “Gastropods are index fossils”. Clara disagrees with Mason. Which of the following best supports Clara’s disagreement?

• If a fossil is to be considered an index fossil, the organism must have lived only a short period of time. Since the Gastropod lived a long period of time it is not an index fossil.

• To be an index fossil, the fossil of the organism must be found in many rock layers. Since the Gastropod is not found in every layer, it cannot be an index fossil.

• An index fossil must be found over a wide area of the earth. Since the Gastropod is widely spread, it cannot be an index fossil.

• To be classified an index fossil, the fossil must be unique. Since the Gastropod is not unique, it cannot be an index fossil.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

How old is the fossil in layer 7?

• about 1 million years old

• about 205 million years old

• about 500 million years old

• about 300 million years old

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which fossil makes a good index fossil: it is in many locations but existed for a short period of time

• a

• b

• c

• d

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A type of fossil that forms when a mold becomes filled in with minerals that then harden

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1