Geology of North Dakota

Precambrian

100

This type of rock formed from cooled magma

Igneous Rock

200

This graphic helps geologists keep track of geological eras of the earth's history

Geological Time Table

300

These old substances are found three miles below the surface and formed during this time

Rocks

400

The approximate age of how old Geologists think the earth is

4.5 Billion Years

500

These type of scientist specialize in studying the earth

Geologists

Paleozoic

100

At some point North Dakota was completely covered by this liquid

Water

200

After land appeared, vegetation and this type of rock was formed

Sedimentary Rock

300

The formation of sedimentary rocks led to the formation of this Basin

Williston Basin

400

Insect, fish, and other small animals decomposed under a natural protective substance that eventually became this piece of underground sea and soil

Fossils

500

As time went on and the grounds of the earth shifted under pressure, some fossils formed this substance still used in North Dakota today

Oil

Mesozoic

100

The Mesozoic Era has been called the age of this prehistoric reptile

Dinosaurs

200

This fish type reptile creature dominated the waters of North Dakota for many years

Mosasaur

300

The estimated most common dinosaur in North Dakota was this shield headed and horned dinosaur

Triceratops

400

This dinosaur was a carnivore and fierce predator

Tyrannosaurus Rex

500

This ancient alligator type dinosaur dominated North Dakota

Champsosaur

Cenozoic

100

Under this period, reptiles, mammals, insects, and plants became more common

Tertiary Period

200

Under this period, a global cooling took place in many places on the earth, including North Dakota

Quaternary Period

300

This coal formed under intense pressure underground

Lignite Coal

400

This icy period dominated most of the earth including North Dakota

The Ice Age

500

The last glacier that was over North Dakota was this large glacier

Wisconsinan Glacier

Glaciers and Landforms

100

This part of North Dakota was NOT covered by the giant glacier

Southwestern ND

200

Wind and water and shifts in the plate tectonics helped form overtime this great landscape of ND

The Badlands

300

Melted glacier water formed this lake

Lake Agassiz

400

The study of geology ensures better knowledge of this entity

Land

500

We study this science to ensure why land was formed and shaped the way it was

Geology