Earth's History

Question 1

is a branch of geology that deals with the origin, composition, structure, and classification of rocks.

Answer 1

Petrology

Question 2

is the study of rock layers (strata) and layering

Answer 2

Stratigraphy

Question 3

studies the life that existed prior to, or sometimes at the start of the Holocene epoch (the current geologic epoch) which includes the study of fossils to determine how they have evolved and interacted with the environment.

Answer 3

Paleontology

Question 4

places events or rocks in their chronological sequence or order of occurrence without knowing their actual age.

Answer 4

Relative Dating

Question 5

places actual ages of rocks and events. The method used in absolute dating technique is based on the decay rate of certain radioactive isotopes within fossils, rocks, and artifacts.

Answer 5

Absolute dating

Question 6

sedimentary rocks are deposited as horizontal or nearly horizontal layers. Any deviation from horizontality indicates that deformation occurs after the deposition.

Answer 6

Principle of original horizontality

Question 7

in the sequence of sedimentary rocks, the layer at the bottom of the sequence is the oldest, and the successively higher levels are successively younger.

Answer 7

Principle of superposition

Question 8

geologic features like faults or igneous intrusions are younger than the rocks they cut across.

Answer 8

Principle of cross-cutting relationships

Question 9

if rocks or rocks fragments must be older than the rock layer where they were embedded.

Answer 9

Principle of inclusion

Question 10

a remnant or trace of organisms of a past geologic age.

Answer 10

Fossils

Question 11

the entire animal/plant is trapped and preserved in ice, tar (or paraffin), or other material such as remains of prehistoric elephants or mammoths that were frozen in the arctic tundra of Siberia and Alaska

Answer 11

true form fossil

Question 12

hollow impressions of a living thing in a rock. The mold reflects only the shape and surface marking of the organisms.

Answer 12

mold fossils

Question 13

created when mold fossils get filled with mineral. The minerals harden and form a replica of the original fossil.

Answer 13

cast fossils

Question 14

impressions on rocks that showed various activities. These fossils can be footprints, eggs, droppings, or nests of animals.

Answer 14

trace fossils or ichnofossils