The Geologic Time Scale is a record of ...
the known history of the earth based on rocks and fossils
Which layer of rock is newest?
A
Saying your grandpa is older than you is an example of
relative dating
The preserved remains of plants and animals from the remote past are called
fossils
Fossils are most common in which rock types?
Sedimentary
What hypothesis can be formed when a fossil is found in older strata, but no longer evident in newer layers of strata?
the species went extinct
The end of life for a group of organisms, usually a species, is called ...
extinction
What was significant about the "Cambrian Explosion?"
After years of relatively little activity, life seemed to develop quickly
Which of the eras covers the longest time period?
Precambrian Time
Dinosaurs, small mammals, birds, conifers and flowering plants were found in this era
Mesozoic
The name of the "Super Continent" formed during the Paleozoic era was...
Pangea
Which era are we currently living in?
Cenozoic
Dinosaurs went extinct about ________.
Which fossil would be considered an index fossil?
A
Which of these is the MOST exact way of finding the exact age of rocks and fossils?
Absolute Dating
What is the correct order on the geological time scale?
eon, era, period, epoch
Scientists who work together to uncover and analyze fossils and study the Earth's surface are called ______ and _______.
Geologist and Paleontologist
In which era was the earth, moon, rocks, and oxygen formed?
precambrian time
What do scientists think the first life form was?
Bacteria
What is the correct order from oldest to youngest?
ABC
Law of Superposition states that....
the oldest layers are found on the bottom and the youngest on top
List the 4 eras, beginning with the oldest one.
Precambrian Time, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic
Which era ended with the largest mass extinction known as the Great Dying?
Paleozoic
The boundaries between _______ seem to coincide with major changes in the life forms present on Earth.
Eras
What are the 4 main characteristics of index fossils?
they are easily recognizable, abundant, large geographic distribution, lived a short time