Fossil Record Flashcards

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1
Q

uniformitarianism

A

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

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2
Q

catastrophism

A

a principle that states that geologic change occurs suddenly

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3
Q

paleontology

A

the scientific study of fossils

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4
Q

relative dating

A

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

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5
Q

absolute dating

A

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

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6
Q

superposition

A

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

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7
Q

isotope

A

an atom that has the same number of protons (or the same atomic number) as other atoms of the same element do but that has a different number of neutrons (and thus a different atomic mass)

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8
Q

radioactive decay

A

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

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9
Q

half-life

A

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

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10
Q

fossil

A

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

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11
Q

trace fossil

A

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

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12
Q

mold

A

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

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13
Q

cast

A

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

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14
Q

unconformity

A

a break in the geologic record created when rock layers are eroded or when sediment is not deposited for a long period of time

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15
Q

mass extinction

A

relatively sudden, global decrease in the diversity of life forms

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16
Q

Jurassic period

A

as a geologic period and system that spanned 56 million years

17
Q

Cretaceous period

A

as the period between 145.5 and 65.5 million years ago

18
Q

Devonian period

A

geologic period and system of the Paleozoic, spanning 60 million years

19
Q

Quaternary period

A

is the name for the time in which we live.

20
Q

Permian period

A

lasted from 299 to 251 million years ago