Geologic Time and Fossil Evidence Flashcards

Question 1

Law of Superposition

Accepted Answer

A principle stating that in undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.

Question 2

Index Fossil

Accepted Answer

A fossil of an organism that was widespread but existed for only a short period of geologic time.

Question 3

How can marine fossils found on a mountain peak provide evidence of environmental change?

Accepted Answer

They indicate that the area was once underwater and was later pushed upward by tectonic plate movements.

Question 4

The ____ ____ Scale

Accepted Answer

Geologic Time

Question 5

True or False: The fossil record provides a complete and perfect history of all life on Earth.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 6

Permineralization

Accepted Answer

A process where minerals carried by water fill the spaces within organic tissue, turning the remains into stone.

Question 7

What is the primary difference between relative dating and absolute dating?

Accepted Answer

Relative dating determines the order of events, while absolute dating determines the numerical age in years.

Question 8

Mass Extinction

Accepted Answer

An event in which a large percentage of all living species become extinct in a relatively short period of geologic time.

Question 9

Trace ____

Accepted Answer

Fossils

Question 10

Unconformity

Accepted Answer

A gap in the rock record caused by a period of erosion or a lack of sediment deposition.

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