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WorksheetsGeologic Record STUDY GUIDE
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 20mins
Discuss the IMMENSITY of geologic time and give a comparison.
If geologic time is 24 hours, humans only existed for 30 seconds.
If geologic time is 240 years, human only existed for 30 years.
If geologic time is 24 years, human only existed for 30 days
According to geologists, how OLD is Earth and how was this determined?
46 billion years old, speed dating and core samples
4.6 million years old, relative dating and speed dating
4.6 billion years old, relative dating and absolute dating
What is the difference between RELATIVE dating & ABSOLUTE dating?
relative dating estimates old & young, absolute dating gives exact number of years
relative dating compares old & young, absolute dating estimates number of years
What is RADIOACTIVE dating of rocks?
unstable atom changes to stable atom at an unknown rate
stable atom changes to unstable atom at measurable rate
unstable atom changes to stable atom at measurable rate
Which radioactive element is USEFUL for dating "YOUNG" rocks?
Carbon-14
Uranium-238
Rubidium-87
What is the Law of Superposition (and cross cutting)?
old on bottom, young on top, cuts are always older
old on top, young on bottom, cuts are always younger
old on bottom, young on top, cuts are always younger
Identify the RELATIVE ages of geologic features W, X, Y, and Z.
oldest Z, Y, X, W youngest
oldest X, W, Y, Z youngest
oldest X, Y, Z, W youngest
Based on the other geologic columns, where are the missing (eroded) layers (shown by ARROWS) and which layer of rock is oldest (shown with YELLOW box)?
Determine the relative ages of the rock layers and the fault.
Which statement regarding the relative ages of rocks & events is ACCURATE?
faults are younger than youngest rock layer they cut through
intrusive rock is older than the surrounding rock layers
a fold is older than the oldest rock layer it contains
overturned rock layers are oldest from base to the surface
What is an index fossil & how is it used?
existed during a limited time, over small areas, used as a traveler for geologic time
existed during a limited time, over large areas, used as a guide for geologic time
existed during a long period of time, over small areas, used as a guide for geologic time
Which fossil would be MOST USEFUL in determining relative age for the rocks in these geologic columns & WHY are these fossils so useful?
Ammonite, rare fossil, unique to rock layer, appears in only one region
Brachiopod, index fossil, unique to rock layer, appears in many regions
Ammonite, index fossil, unique to rock layer, appears in many regions
Scientist see three layers of rock exposed on the side of a hill. Discuss fossil & rock evidence.
first dry environment, then volcanic eruption, finally wet environment
first wet environment, then dry environment, finally volcanic eruption
first volcanic eruption, then a dry environment, finally wet environment
Explain the extinction of the fish species in each graph.
Graph 1 gradual extinction, Graph 2 fast extinction.
Graph 1 fast extinction, Graph 2 gradual extinction.
Graph 1 and 2 both show a fast extinction
Compare the fossils from the Cenozoic Era (modern) to the Paleozoic Era (past).
Cenozoic Era, land animals, dryer land environment. Paleozoic Era, ocean animals, wet environment
Cenozoic Era, ocean animals, wet environment. Paleozoic Era, land animals, dryer land environment
From fossil evidence what conclusion can be made about the history of the environment shown.
first desert, then lake, now forest
first lake, then forest, now desert
first forest, then lake, now desert
Describe how sea level has change has affected the geologic record?
beach deposition
mountain weathering
major extinctions
Describe HOW climate on Earth has changed throughout Earth's history?
Climate has changed many times
Climate has changes just a few times
Climate has stayed steady
What does the existence of ARCTIC coal tell scientists?
Arctic was cooler in the past
Arctic was dryer in the past
Arctic was warmer in the past
How can environmental & climate conditions be seen in ice core samples?
ice cores can show temp and water particles
ice cores can show temp and air particles
ice cores can show humidity and ice levels
