beginning of earth
Continuous circulation of water between atmosphere, oceans, and land
water cycle
This fossil is a hollow area in the shape of an animal/plant left behind
mold
What is the approximate age of the Earth?
4.6 billion years
This animal does not have a backbone
an invertebrate
Process ensuring survival of fittest organisms through evolution
Natural selection
This type of fossil is an ant trapped in amber
preserved remains
How old are fossils of single-celled organisms
3.5 billion years old
The time scale is divided into what?
eras and periods
Formation of solid foundation of Earth's lithosphere from cooling molten rock
crystallization
Periodic glaciations impacting sea levels, currents, and atmosphere
Ice Ages
Fluctuations in Earth's climate affecting its systems
Climate Change
This law says that the oldest rock layer is at the bottom and the youngest layer is at the top
Law of Superposition
Process of water vapor turning back into liquid water
contraindication
This fossil looks like an imprint of a leaf left behind
carbon film
What is the difference between relative age and absolute age?
Relative age describes how old/young something is compared to something else.
A gap in the geologic record formed when sedimentary rocks cover an eroded surface is called
an unconformity
This Era is 88% of Earth's history
What is Precambrian
the trace or remains of an organism that lived long ago, most commonly preserved in sedimentary rock
fossils
Major events causing loss of species and impacting Earth's systems
Extinction Events
This animal lives part of its life on land and part on water
an amphibian