wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Geology Quiz

Total questions: 10

Worksheet time: 5mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What does the principle of uniformitarianism state?

a)

Geologic processes that occur today are entirely different from those in the past.

b)

Geologic processes that occur today are similar to those that occurred in the past.

c)

The Earth's surface has remained unchanged over time.

d)

All rock layers are of the same age.

2.

Which term refers to the numerical age of a rock or object?

a)

Relative age

b)

Absolute age

c)

Index fossil

d)

Original horizontality

3.

According to the principle of superposition, which rocks are the oldest?

a)

The rocks in the middle layer

b)

The rocks in the top layer

c)

The rocks in the bottom layer

d)

The rocks that contain fossils

4.

What are fossils?

a)

Newly formed rock layers

b)

The preserved remains or evidence of past living organisms

c)

Rocks that have been eroded

d)

Sediments deposited in horizontal layers

5.

What term describes the extinction of many species on Earth within a short period of time?

a)

Cross-cutting relationships

b)

Lateral continuity

c)

Mass extinctions

d)

Inclusions

6.

What is a geologic time scale?

a)

A chart that divides Earth's history into different time units based on changes in the rocks and fossils

b)

A method used to determine the relative age of rocks

c)

A principle that most rock-forming materials are deposited in horizontal layers

d)

A piece of older rock that becomes a part of a new rock

7.

Which principle states that sediments are deposited in large, continuous sheets in all lateral directions?

a)

Original horizontality

b)

Lateral continuity

c)

Unconformities

d)

Correlation

8.

What is an index fossil?

a)

A fossil representative of a species that existed for a short length of time, was abundant, and inhabited many locations

b)

A rock layer with distinctive characteristics

c)

A piece of an older rock that becomes a part of a new rock

d)

A method used by geologists to fill in the missing gaps in an area's rock record

9.

What is the principle of lateral continuity?

a)

Layers of sediment are originally deposited horizontally

b)

Layers of sediment extend laterally in all directions

c)

Layers of sediment are deposited at an angle

d)

Layers of sediment are deposited vertically

10.

What is an index fossil?

a)

A fossil representative of a species that existed for a short length of time, was abundant, and inhabited many locations

b)

A fossil that is found only in one location

c)

A fossil that existed for a long period of time

d)

A fossil that is rare and difficult to find