Geologic Time
In which geologic time are we currently living?
In an undisturbed sequence of layers of sedimentary rock, the oldest layer is at the base and the layers on top of that are younger and younger.
When did the first dinosaurs appear on the Earth?
Triassic Period / 250 mya to 201 mya
The fossils are likely similar in age to each other.
What is Ms. Bauer's favorite movie series?
Jurassic Park!
In which period of time did jellyfish first appear?
The Precambrian Time
Explain the Law of Crosscutting
If a fault or other body of rock cuts through another body of rock then it must be younger in age than the rock through which it cuts.
The end of an entire group of organisms (animals or plants) is usually called...
A mass extinction
What is an index fossil?
Index fossils are fossils that are useful in determining the age of rocks because the fossil is always found in rock of similar age; they can help us determine the age of rocks because the organism only lived for a short amound of time in history.
About how long was a Stegosaurus?
A) one school bus
B) Two school buses
C) A football field
D) A mini van
A - One School Bus in length
In what time period did Pangaea, the super continent, appear?
Paleozoic Era
Explain the Law of Inclusions
Inclusions found in other rocks (or formations) must be older than the rock that contain them.
Approximately how old is the Earth?
4.5 billion years
Name two characteristics of an Index Fossil
Easily recognizable
Abundant
Wide geographic distribution
Live a short time
Which period of time is longer: an era or a period?
An era
Describe how sedimentary rocks are formed
Pieces of rock are loosened by weathering, then transported to another location where sediment is trapped; over time, pressure causes these sediments to form a new, solid rock.
What evidence do we have that proves that humans and dinosaurs did not live at the same time?
Why are there not many fossils of organisms such as jellyfish or worms, but fossils of things like bones, teeth, or shells are more easily found?
Fossils tend to form most easily from hard structures rather than soft-bodied creatures, whose bodies decay too quickly to undergo the long process of fossilization.
Dinosaurs, some mammals and birds can all be found in this time period.
Mesozoic Era
Describe the difference between relative age and absolute age
Relative age tells that one thing is older/younger than another thing, while absolute age tells the exact age of an item.
Preserved remains of animals or plants from the distant past are called...?
Fossils