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Question 1

a principle that states that geologic processes that occurred in the past can be explained by current geologic processes

Answer 1

uniformitarianism

Question 2

a principle that states that geologic change occurs suddenly

Answer 2

catastrophism

Question 3

the scientific study of fossils

Answer 3

paleontology

Question 4

any method of determining whether an event or object is older or younger than other event or objects

Answer 4

relative dating

Question 5

a principle that states that younger rocks lie above older rocks if the layers have not been disturbed.

Answer 5

superposition

Question 6

any method of measuring the age of an event or object in yeas

Answer 6

absolute dating

Question 7

an atom that has the same number of protons

Answer 7

isotope

Question 8

the process in which a radioactive isotope tends to break down into a stable isotope of the same element or another element

Answer 8

radioactive decay

Question 9

the time needed for half of a sample of a radioactive substance to undergo radioactive decay

Answer 9

half-life

Question 10

the remains or physical evidence of an organism preserved by geological processes

Answer 10

fossil

Question 11

a fossilized mark that is formed in soft sediment by the movement of an animal

Answer 11

trace fossil

Question 12

a mark or cavity made in a sedimentary surface by a shell or other body

Answer 12

mold

Question 13

a type of fossil that forms when sediments fill in the cavity left by a decomposed organism

Answer 13

cast

Question 14

a surface of contact between two groups of unconformable strata

Answer 14

unconformity

Question 15

s a widespread and rapid decrease in the biodiversity on Earth

Answer 15

mass extinction

Question 16

The Jurassic Period was the second segment of the Mesozoic Era. It occurred from 199.6 to 145.5 million years ago

Answer 16

Jurassic period

Question 17

The Cretaceous Period was the last and longest segment of the Mesozoic Era

Answer 17

Cretaceous period

Question 18

The Devonian is a geologic period and system of the Paleozoic, spanning 60 million years from the end of the Silurian, 419.2 million years ago

Answer 18

Devonian period

Question 19

The Quaternary Period is divided into two epochs: the Pleistocene 2.588 million years ago to 11.7 thousand years ago

Answer 19

Quaternary period

Question 20

The Permian period lasted from 299 to 251 million years ago* and was the last period of the Paleozoic Era

Answer 20

Permian period