Geologic History and the Evolution of Life

Which explanation best describes why tropical plant fossils have been found on islands in the Arctic Ocean?

• Birds and insects carried seeds to the island.

• Seeds of plants have been carried by ocean currents.

• The island drifted from a tropical region to its present location.

• Spores of the plants were carried by air currents to the island.
  

Which explanation best describes why marine fossils have been discovered in rock layers in a desert environment?

• A catastrophic event occurred in the area in the past.

• Continental drift moved the rock layers from the coast to the desert.

• The area was once completely covered by water.

• Volcanic activity had once occurred in the area.
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What have scientists mainly used to subdivide geologic time into different units or periods?

• fossil evidence

• catastrophic events

• rock layers

• unconformities
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

A geologist examines a rock outcrop obtained from a region with the rock layers labeled from 1 to 6.In what order were the rock layers likely deposited over time?

• 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

• 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 6

• 5, 4, 3, 6, 2, 1

• 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The diagram shows layers of rock that have been disturbed.Which layer of rock is the oldest?

• Layer A because other layers were formed in it.

• Layer B because it is under layers C and D.

• Layer D because it is the least eroded.

• Layer F because it is on the top.
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The scientist in the photo is removing an ice core from a metal casing (tube) in order to analyze ancient gas bubbles trapped in the ice. Which geologic law or principle best explains how scientists use ice cores to learn about Earth's past climate?

• law of crosscutting relationships

• principle of lateral continuity

• law of superposition

• principle of inclusion
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-5

Review the diagram showing an igneous intrusion (D) within layers of sedimentary rock.What is the relative age of the igneous intrusion?

• The igneous intrusion is younger than layer 1.

• The igneous intrusion is the same age as layer 3.

• The igneous intrusion is younger than layer 5.

• The igneous intrusion is the same age as layer 2.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which rock layer in the diagram seems to be the oldest?

• F

• E

• B

• A

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

These fossils allow geologists to match rocks of the same age in different regions because they were widespread and only around for a short period of time.

• index fossil

• trace fossil

• cryofossil

• varve

How do scientists use fossils to determine the relative ages of rock layers?

• by comparing all the fossils in one rock layer

• by comparing fossils in many different rock layers

• by determining the positions of fossils in many different rock layers

• by locating other areas of the world where the same fossils are found