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WorksheetsEarth's History in Layers
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 10mins
The diagram shows different layers of sedimentary rock. Each layer is labeled with a letter.
The left part of Layer B is younger than the right part.
The left part of Layer F is the same age as Layer M.
Layer R is older than Layer M
Layer I is older than Layer B
The geologic map below shows several rock formations exposed when a road is cut through a hillside.
Which formation in this geological map is youngest?
1
2
3
4
A fossil discovered in Colorado dates from the early Mesozoic era. A year later a similar fossil is found in Wyoming that also dates from the early Mesozoic era. These two organisms most likely lived in
the same environment at about the same time.
the same environment at different times.
different environments at about the same time.
different environments at different times.
Which of these provides the BEST evidence that the distribution of Earth’s oceans has changed over time?
hot spots on ocean floors
seismic activity along plate boundaries
sediment buildup on continental slope
marine fossils found on land masses
Scientists estimate that if index fossils were deposited during a certain time frame, then the entire rock layer was also deposited at the same time.
A scientist finds Trophite fossils. According to the chart above, in what era and period was this rock layer deposited?
Cenozoic era; Tertiary period
Mesozoic era; Triassic period
Paleozoic era; Permian period
Paleozoic era; Mississippian period
Which method would be BEST for scientists to use to determine the absolute age of a Precambrian igneous rock?
Index fossils
law of superosition
radiometric dating
law of original horizontality
A teacher gave students this diagram of rock layers. The teacher directed the students to determine the relative age of each rock layer based only on the information presented in the diagram.
Which method can BEST be used by the students to determine the relative age of these layers?
radiometric dating
rock type evaluation
the law of superposition
principle of uniformitarianism
Which environmental condition MOST likely existed at the time a fossil formed?
Organism remains were deposited in an area of open space
Organism remains were covered by lava flow.
Organism remains were buried with little oxygen.
Organism remains were buried in an area where a lot of erosion occurred.
Certain fossils can be used to help determine the age of the rock layer in which the fossils are found. Which type of fossil is BEST to use when making this determination?
marine mammal fossil
swamp fern fossil
trace fossil
index fossil
Use this geologic profile to answer the following question.
Which of the following BEST describes the fossil at Point 3 when compared with the fossils at Points 1 and 2?
The fossil at Point 3 is less common
The fossil at Point 3 is smaller.
The fossil at Point 3 is older.
The fossil at Point 3 is more complex
When two fish die, Fish A sinks to the bottom of a lake and Fish B washes up on the rocky lake shore.
Why is a fossil more likely to form from the body of Fish A than from the body of Fish B?
Soft parts of the fish will decay more quickly in the water.
Sediments in the water will quickly cover the fish
Scavengers in the water will eat the remains of the fish.
Currents in the water will move the fish.
Trilobites are extinct animals that lived in the oceans. Fossils of these animals can be found in dry areas such as Cincinnati. What does this indicate?
Trilobites now live underground.
Trilobites are the ancestors of jellyfish.
Cincinnati was once covered by the ocean where trilobites lived.
The environment changed, creating small saltwater lakes in Cincinnati.
Structural geologists study rock formations to determine the type of environment in which the rocks formed and the events that shaped the rocks. Paleontologists study fossils found in rock formations. Scientists in both these fields have a common interest in discovering the:
history and processes of Earth.
elements that make up the crust.
types of minerals that make up sediments.
relationships between Earth and other planets.
A student has made the geologic column that you see here.
fossils
soil type
environment
plate tectonics
A scientist drew some diagrams of ancestors of elephants based on fossil evidence.
Which is the BEST conclusion that can be made from comparing the diagrams?
Elephant species have changed over time.
Ancient elephants were better adapted than modern elephants
Elephant habitats have remained the same over time.
Elephant fossil evidence is widespread and complete
Scientists are able to conclude that a forested ecosystem existed in Antarctica millions of years ago by studying:
the current climate
the fossil record
glacial movement
seafloor spreading
Several dinosaur bones are discovered buried in volcanic ash. The type of dinosaur can BEST be identified by
knowing the location where the fossils were found.
establishing an inventory of bones collected
comparing to characteristics of known dinosaurs.
knowing the absolute age of the fossils.
Which statement best describes the Law of Superposition?
Each sedimentary layer of rock represents 1,000 years of Earth’s age, much like the rings of a tree.
In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the upper rock layers are older than the lower rock layers.
In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the lowest layers contain the older rocks.
Rocks that form near volcanoes are older than surrounding rock.
How do scientists know that some mountains were once at the bottom of an ocean?
Freshwater rivers flow to the ocean.
Saltwater fish are found in some mountain streams.
Dinosaur bones have been discovered in the mountains.
Marine fossils have been found on the peaks of some mountains.
What do earthquakes tell scientists about the history of the planet?
Earth’s climate is constantly changing.
The continents of Earth are continually moving.
Dinosaurs became extinct about 65 million years ago.
The oceans are much deeper today than millions years ago.
