Fossil Record

Question 1

uniformitarianism

Answer 1

the theory that changes in the earth’s crust during geological history have resulted from the action of continuous and uniform processes.

Question 2

catastrophism

Answer 2

the theory that changes in the earth’s crust during geological history have resulted chiefly from sudden violent and unusual events.

Question 3

paleontology

Answer 3

the branch of science concerned with fossil animals and plants.

Question 4

relative dating

Answer 4

Relative dating is the science of determining the relative order of past events (i.e., the age of an object in comparison to another), without necessarily determining their absolute age, (i.e. estimated age).

Question 5

absolute dating

Answer 5

Absolute dating is the process of determining an age on a specified chronology in archaeology and geology. Some scientists prefer the terms chronometric or calendar dating, as use of the word “absolute” implies an unwarranted certainty of accuracy.

Question 6

superposition

Answer 6

the net response at a given place and time caused by two or more stimuli is the sum of the responses which would have been caused by each stimulus individually.

Question 7

isotope

Answer 7

Isotopes are versions of an atom or an element that have the same number of protons, but different numbers of neutrons. Isotopes and isotope notation are particularly important in nuclear chemistry.

Question 8

radioactive decay

Answer 8

is the process by which the nucleus of an unstable atom loses energy by emitting radiation, including alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and conversion electrons. A material that spontaneously emits such radiation is considered radioactive.

Question 9

half-life

Answer 9

The term is commonly used in nuclear physics to describe how quickly unstable atoms undergo, or how long stable atoms survive, radioactive decay.

Question 10

fossil

Answer 10

the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock.

Question 11

trace fossil

Answer 11

a fossil of a footprint, trail, burrow, or other trace of an animal rather than of the animal itself.

Question 12

mold

Answer 12

a hollow container used to give shape to molten or hot liquid material (such as wax or metal) when it cools and hardens.

Question 13

cast

Answer 13

throw (something) forcefully in a specified direction.

Question 14

unconformity

Answer 14

a surface of contact between two groups of unconformable strata.

Question 15

mass extinction

Answer 15

An extinction event (also known as a mass extinction or biotic crisis) is a widespread and rapid decrease in the biodiversity on Earth.

Question 16

Jurassic period

Answer 16

The Jurassic Period was the second segment of the Mesozoic Era. It occurred from 199.6 to 145.5 million years ago, following the Triassic Period and preceding the Cretaceous Period. During the Jurassic Period, the supercontinent Pangaea split apart

Question 17

Cretaceous period

Answer 17

The Cretaceous Period was the last and longest segment of the Mesozoic Era. It lasted approximately 79 million years, from the minor extinction event that closed the Jurassic Period about 145.5 million years ago to the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event dated at 65.5 million years ago.

Question 18

Devonian period

Answer 18

The Devonian is a geologic period and system of the Paleozoic Era, spanning 60 million years from the end of the Silurian Period, about 419.2 million years ago (Mya), to the beginning of the Carboniferous Period, about 358.9 Mya. It is named after Devon, England, where rocks from this period were first studied.

Question 19

Quaternary period

Answer 19

The Quaternary Period is divided into two epochs: the Pleistocene (2.588 million years ago to 11.7 thousand years ago) and the Holocene (11.7 thousand years ago to today).

Question 20

Permian period

Answer 20

The distinction between the Paleozoic and the Mesozoic is made at the end of the Permian in recognition of the largest mass extinction recorded in the history of life on Earth.