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- 1. Multiple Choice
All of the following were known to Alfred Wegener as support for his Hypothesis of Continental Drift EXCEPT:
fossils found on different continents
fit of the continents
rock type similarities
ancient glacial features
the mechanism for how the continents moved
- 2. Multiple Choice
We can use the order of layers of rock to determine their relative ages. This ability is based on which of the following laws?
Law that states if rock is undisturbed, the oldest layers will be on the bottom and the youngest layers will be on the top. (law of superposition)
Law that states that sedimentary rock is deposited horizontally. (law of original horizontality)
Law that states matter cannot be created nor destroyed. (law of conservation of matter)
Law that states energy cannot be created nor destroyed. (law of conservation of energy)
- 3. Multiple Choice
Index fossils can be used to identify the relative age of a layer of rock
True
False
- 4. Multiple Choice
Which of the following provides evidence of plate motion? Choose all that apply.
shapes of the continents
fossils of the same species found on multiple continents
the age distribution of basalt at mid-ocean ridges.
the size of the continents
- 5. Multiple Choice
What principle of geology states that sedimentary rocks are deposited horizontally or nearly horizontally?
cross-cutting relationships
original horizontality
uniformitarianism
superposition
- 6. Multiple Choice
If an index fossil known to be 300 million years old is found in a layer of rock, which of the following is the best conclusion based on this find?
the other fossils in that layer are about 500 million years old.
the other fossils in that layer are about 100 million years old.
the other fossils in that layer are about 300 million years old.
the other fossils in that layer are all different ages.
- 7. Multiple Choice
Rock clues were used to support the theory of continental drift because
Similar rock structures were found on different continents.
The Appalachian Mountains looked completely different than the mountains on Greenland.
Fossils were found in the rocks.
- 8. Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements is true based on the diagram above?
The fault P is older than layers Q, O, N, M, and L
Layer I is older than layer H.
Layer Q is the youngest layer.
Layer H is younger than fault P
- 9. Multiple Choice
Why do we use analogies like the length of a hallway or a 24 hour clock when discussing geologic time?
Timescales involved in Earth's history cannot be described without an analogy.
Timescales involved in Earth's history are immensely shorter than the lifetime of a human.
Timescales involved in Earth's history are immensely longer than the lifetime of a human.
Timescales involved in Earth's history are very simple to understand and therefore it is easy to construct a scaled analogy to explain them.
- 10. Multiple Choice
The PROCESS by which molten material adds new oceanic crust to the ocean floor is called
subduction
continental drift
seafloor spreading
convergence
- 11. Multiple Choice
What can scientists learn from the sequence of rock layers?
Geologic history of that area
Future geological events
the number of organisms that live in the area
the impact that hikers have had on an area.
- 12. Multiple Choice
In the context of Earth's history, events such as when the dinosaurs went extinct (65 million years ago) are relatively young.
True
False
- 13. Multiple Choice
Which of the following patterns is observed when examining a map of the age of the seafloor?
oldest crust is at mid-ocean ridges, as you move away the crust gets younger and younger
youngest crust is at mid-ocean ridges, as you move away the crust gets older and older
the age of the seafloor is the same everywhere
- 14. Multiple Choice
The Geologic Time Scale is a record of what?
a list of the scientists that have studied rocks
the known history of rocks and fossils
a list of every living thing ever
sweet geology sheet music
- 15. Multiple Choice
Which of the following are considered evidence that can be used to reconstruct Earth's history? Select all that apply.
type and order of rock strata
the fossil record
evidence of ancient mountain ranges
evidence of past glaciation
- 16. Multiple Choice
Where do trenches form?
at the center of the ocean where new volcanic rock is formed
Where two continental plates collide
at subduction zones where an oceanic plate collides with another tectonic plate
- 17. Multiple Choice
Relative dating of rock layers tells us that the deeper we dig, _______.
the younger the rocks get
the smellier the rocks get
the harder the rocks get
the harder the rocks get
- 18. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is evidence of past glaciation?
long parallel scratches and grooves in rock surface
many layers of sedimentary rock at the surface of the Earth
Folded rock
V-shaped valleys
- 19. Multiple Choice
What is the best explanation for why there is no oceanic crust older than 180 million years old, yet we have found continental crust that is 4.2 billion years old?
Oceanic crust didn't start forming until recently
Oceanic crust takes longer to form so it is younger
Oceanic crust is constantly being recycled at seafloor trenches, so the oldest oceanic crust has long since been destroyed.
- 20. Multiple Choice
What makes volcanic ash a good key bed in determining relative ages of rock and fossils?
Each volcanic eruption has a unique chemical composition.
Each volcanic eruption has the same chemical composition.
Volcanic eruptions are rare.
- 21. Multiple Choice
Which of the following are NOT major events that help geologists organize Earth's history into the geologic time scale?
formation of mountain chains
glaciations
asteroid impacts
extinctions of groups of organisms
tornadoes
- 22. Multiple Choice
Compared to ocean crust near deep-sea trenches, crust near ocean ridges is ____.
younger
older
the same
- 23. Multiple Choice
If an index fossil is found in two rock layers that are separated by an ocean, what do you know about the relationship between the two rock layers?
the are made of the same kind of rock
they are about the same age
they used to be in the same area
the rock layers are unrelated
- 24. Multiple Choice
Why does an ocean plate subduct under the continental plate?
a.because the continental crust is more dense
b.because convection is pushing the ocean plate into the continental plate
c.because the continental plates are drifting on the continental crust
d.because the oceanic crust is more dense
both b & d
- 25. Multiple Choice
Which of the following are examples of evidence that scientists use to determine the order of events in Earth's history in the geologic time scale? Select all that apply.
order of the layers
key beds
index fossils
radiometric dating
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