The study of rock layers that is part of geology is known as
Stratigraphy
How old is the Earth
4.6 billion years old
Saying you are older than a baby is an example of relative dating or absolute dating ?
Relative Dating
Sedimentary Rocks
Rocks made from sediments deposited by wind, water, etc.
T/F ? When a whole species dies all at once it is called a mass extinction
True
What are Strata ?
Strata are rock layers.
During what period did dinosaurs rule the Earth?
Mesozoic
Absolute dating is also known as what?
Radiometric and radioactive dating
Chronological
occurring or going in order of time
What evidence do scientists use to determine the age of the Earth?
Index Fossils, Earth Strata, Radioactive Dating, Relative Dating
What is the law of superposition
It states that the layer on top is younger than the layers on the bottom.
Most of the history of life on the earth has only occurred recently. True of False
True
Which layer is the oldest?
Layer C
Law of Lateral Continuity
a sedimentary rock layer that extends sideways as wide as the basin in which it forms.
What characteristics must index fossils have ?
Recognizable, short life-span, wide distribution
Explanation of why layers of the earth might be altered include: The law of superposition, The law of gravity and the law of motion, Principle of Cross-Cutting relationships, Radioactive Isotopes
Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships
What era are we currently in ?
Cenozoic
What is relative age ?
When comparing two rock layers to see which is older or younger.
Unconformity
A lack of continuity in deposition between rock strata
What are some things we can learn from studying the rock layers
Climate, environment, age of rocks, animals and plants that lived there
If the same index fossils are found in different rock strata miles apart, what is probably true about the rock layers?
The strata are from the same relative time period
What time period lasted the longest ?
Precambrian Time
What is absolute dating ?
Absolute dating is finding the exact age of a rock or a rock layer
Principle of cross-cutting relationships
If there is an igneous intrusion or a fault it is younger than the layers around it
What leads to diversity of life and why?
Sexual reproduction, genetic variation from two parents