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WorksheetsFoss Earth History Investigation
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 15mins
Mrs. Jones provides her class with an image that shows rock layers in their original order along with a fracture in some rock layers caused by an earthquake. She has asked students what information can be determined from these rock layers. An image is provided. Based on the evidence in the illustration, when did the earthquake occur?
Before Layer W was deposited
Before Layer X was deposited
After Layer Y was deposited
After Layer Z was deposited
What evidence supports the scientific theory that continents on Earth were at one time a part of a large supercontinent called Pangaea before they drifted apart?
Sediments found along the coasts of continents often were transported there by wind or moving water.
The plants and animals that live on the same continent can often look very different from their fossil ancestors.
The fossils of some kind of organisms can only be found in one location on Earth.
In several locations, the shape of one continent matches the shape of a nearby continent, like puzzle pieces.
The distribution of fossils is used as evidence for plate tectonics. The distribution of four different fossil organisms over three different continents is shown in the provided diagram. The distribution of which organisms can be used as evidence that Africa was once connected to South America?
Lystrosaurus, Mesosaurus, and Glossopteris
Cynognathus, Glossopteris, and Lystrosaurus
Glossopteris, Cynognathus, and Mesosaurus
Cynognathus, Mesosaurus, Lystrosaurus
Scientists use several processes to determine the age of rock layers and fossils on Earth. Which process can be used for the absolute dating of fossils?
Relative dating
Radioactive dating
The law of superposition
Earthquake location
When looking at the shape of the continental shelves that surround South America and Africa, it can be observed that the continental shelves fit together. An image is provided. Which of the following ideas best supports this observation?
The continental shelves of these two continents are made of the same type of rock material.
The tectonic plates between these continents are roughly the same age.
These continents were joined in the past and have moved apart since that time.
The material that makes up the continental shelves is eroded from the continents.
Stratigraphy is the study of rock layers and layering. An image of a various sedimentary rock layer is provided. In which of the labeled sections of the sedimentary rock layers would the oldest rock be on top of the younger rocks?
Area A
Area B
Area C
Area D
Examining rocks that form on either side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge provides evidence that supports the theory of plate tectonics. An image is provided. These rocks provide evidence of plate movement because as we look at rocks farther and farther from the ridge, which of the following is occurring?
The iron content is increasing.
Their particles are getting smaller.
They become thicker and thicker.
They are consistently older.
One scientific technique determines the age of rocks by observing the undisturbed sequence of rocks deposited in layers, with the youngest layer on top and the oldest on the bottom. Which of the following does this describe?
Relative dating
Radioactive dating
The law of superposition
Earthquake location
What type of rock is most likely to contain fossils?
Igneous rock
Metamorphic rock
Sedimentary rock
Volcanic rock
Which of the following is a method used to determine the relative age of fossils?
Carbon dating
Stratigraphy
Thermoluminescence
Dendrochronology
What is the significance of index fossils in geology?
They indicate the absolute age of the rock layer.
They are used to identify the relative age of rock layers.
They are found only in volcanic rocks.
They are used to measure the temperature of ancient climates.
Which of the following best describes the principle of uniformitarianism?
The present is the key to the past.
Catastrophic events shape the Earth's surface.
Fossils are found only in sedimentary rocks.
The Earth is constantly changing due to human activity.
What evidence supports the theory of continental drift?
The presence of similar fossils on different continents.
The discovery of ancient human artifacts on multiple continents.
The existence of large deserts in Africa and Asia.
The presence of similar languages spoken across continents.
Which scientific technique is used to determine the absolute age of a fossil?
Radiocarbon dating
Stratigraphy
The law of superposition
Paleomagnetism
What is the primary reason for the extinction of the dinosaurs according to the fossil record?
Volcanic eruptions
Meteorite impact
Climate change
Disease
