Earth History Review MP 2

What class period are you in? (just put in a number. Example - if you are in period 1, enter ONLY the number 1)

(a)  

Define: What is a geologic unconformity?

• a break in time in an otherwise continuous rock record. Usually caused by erosion or faulting

• when a geological feature cuts across another feature, the feature doing the cutting must be younger than the feature it cuts through

• Sedimentary rock layers are created flat along the Earth's surface due to gravity.

• a total and completely continuous rock record.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Define: Law of Original Horizontality

• Sedimentary rock layers are created flat along the Earth's surface due to gravity.

• Sedimentary rock layers are created in curved layers horizontal to the Earth's surface

• Unless acted on, sedimentary rock layers will be placed with younger layers being created on top of older layers

• When a rock layer cut across another rock layer the cross-cutting layer is younger

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Define: Law of Cross-Cutting

• when a geological feature cuts across another feature, the feature doing the cutting must be older than the feature it cuts through

• Unless acted on, sedimentary rock layers will be placed with younger layers being created on top of older layers

• Sedimentary rock layers are created flat along the Earth's surface due to gravity.

• when a geological feature cuts across another feature, the feature doing the cutting must be younger than the feature it cuts through

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Define: Law of Superposition

• When a rock layer cut across another rock layer the cross-cutting layer is younger

• Unless acted on, sedimentary rock layers will be placed with younger layers being created on top of older layers

• the types of fossils that the rock contains determine the rocks age

• Unless acted on, sedimentary rock layers will be placed with older layers being created on top of younger layers

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Define: Absolute age

• 4.5 billion years ago

• The actual age something is

• The age something might be compared to other objects

• The oldest something can be

Define: Relative Age

• Age of rock compared to the other rocks above or below it

• Theory that states Earth's outer later is broken into large, slowly moving pieces

• Amount of time it takes for half of atoms of a radioactive element to decay into a new, stable element

• Layer of relatively cool, rigid rock that includes the uppermost part of the mantle as well as the Earth's crust

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Define: Half Life

• Amount of time it takes for half of atoms of a radioactive element to decay into a new, stable element

• Rocky outer layer of Earth

• Theory that states Earth's outer later is broken into large, slowly moving pieces

• Age of rock compared to the other rocks above or below it

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Define: Radioactive Decay

• The decay of rock samples due to heat and chemical reactions

• The spontaneous breakdown of unstable atomic nuclei into more stable nuclei.

• The unstable and unpredictable breakdown of geologic samples.

• The rotting of radioactive materials

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

What are the criteria for good index fossils?

• can be found only in deep layers of rock making dating easier

• have a small geographic distribution and a long range through time

• have come from large, easily identified organisms

• have a wide geographic distribution and exist for a short range through time

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1