Fossil Record Flashcards
the theory that changes in the earth’s crust during geological history have resulted from the action of continuous and uniform processes.
uniformitarianism
the theory that changes in the earth’s crust during geological history have resulted chiefly from sudden violent and unusual events.
catastrophism
the branch of science concerned with fossil animals and plants.
paleontology
Relative dating is the process of determining if one rock or geologic event is older or younger than another, without knowing their specific age, how many years ago the object was formed.
relative dating
Absolute dating methods measure the physical properties of an object itself and use these measurements to calculate its age
absolute dating
the ability of a quantum system to be in multiple states at the same time until it is measured.
superposition
each of two or more forms of the same element that contain equal numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei, and hence differ in relative atomic mass but not in chemical properties; in particular, a radioactive form of an element.
isotope
the process in which a radioactive atom spontaneously gives off radiation in the form of energy or particles to reach a more stable state.
radioactive decay
the time taken for the radioactivity of a specified isotope to fall to half its original value.
half-life
the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock.
fossil
a fossil of a footprint, trail, burrow, or other trace of an animal rather than of the animal itself.
trace fossil
a hollow container used to give shape to molten or hot liquid material (such as wax or metal) when it cools and hardens.
mold
cause (light or shadow) to appear on a surface.
cast
a surface of contact between two groups of unconformable strata.
unconformity
An extinction event is a widespread and rapid decrease in the biodiversity on Earth.
mass extinction
