Stratigraphy Practice

Order the events from oldest to youngest.

• D,E,C,A,B,F

• F,B,A,C,E,D,

• D,E,C,B,A,F

• D,E,C,A,F,B

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Order the layers from oldest to youngest.

• A,C,D,B,E

• A,C,D,E,B

• E,D,C,A,B

• A,C,B,D,E

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Order the events from youngest to oldest.

• A,D,C,B,E

• E,B,C,D,A

• E,B,C,A,D

• D,A,C,B,E

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which layer is the oldest?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

Layer D is the oldest because, in geological terms, the oldest layers are typically found at the bottom of a sequence. As layers accumulate over time, the most recent layers are deposited on top of the older ones.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which layer is the youngest?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

Layer A is the youngest because, in geological terms, the youngest layer is typically the one that is on top, having been deposited last. Therefore, A is the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Place the layers in the correct category below:

Groups:

(a) Younger than layer A

,

(b) Older than layer A

• F

• D

• C

• B

• E

• G

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What type of rock layer is show in the diagram?

• Igneous

• Metamorphic

• Sedimentary

Answer explanation

The diagram shows layers of sediment that have compacted over time, which is characteristic of sedimentary rocks. Unlike igneous or metamorphic rocks, sedimentary rocks form from the accumulation of particles and organic material.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

If a paleontologist is digging through layers of Earth, the layers should keep getting older and older. How is it possible that a paleontologist MAY encounter a young layer of rock deep within the Earth?

• Perhaps an intrusion has formed!

• Perhaps an extrusion has formed!

• Perhaps there is an unconformity!

• Perhaps it's the law of superposition!

• Perhaps the person has encountered a fossil!

Answer explanation

An intrusion occurs when molten rock pushes into existing layers, creating younger rock within older layers. This geological process can explain why a paleontologist may find a young layer deep in the Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

What is the primary characteristic of an index fossil?

• It is found in only one geographic location

• It is found in multiple rock layers

• It is found in a wide geographic area and a short time period

• It is found in a narrow geographic area and a long time period

Answer explanation

The primary characteristic of an index fossil is that it is found in a wide geographic area and a short time period, which allows geologists to correlate the age of rock layers across different locations.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Why are index fossils important for geologists?

• They provide information about the climate of the past

• They help identify the relative age of rock layers

• They are used to find mineral deposits

• They help determine the absolute age of rock layers

Answer explanation

Index fossils are crucial for geologists as they help identify the relative age of rock layers. By correlating these fossils across different locations, geologists can establish a timeline of geological events.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1