fossil record Flashcards
uniformitarianism
the theory that changes in the earth’s crust during geological history have resulted from the action of continuous and uniform processes.
catastrophism
the theory that changes in the earth’s crust during geological history have resulted chiefly from sudden violent and unusual events.
paleontology
paleontology
relative dating
relative order of past events
absolute dating
process of determining an age on a specified chronology in archaeology and geology.
superposition
property, states that, for all linear systems, the net response at a given place and time caused by two or more stimuli is the sum of the responses
isotope
Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element which differ in neutron number.
radioactive decay
an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation
half-life
a radioactive substance is the amount of time it takes for half of its atoms to decay
fossil
the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock.
trace fossil
geological record of biological activity. Trace fossils may consist of impressions made on the substrate by an organism
mold
A mold or mould is a fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae.
cast
A fossil formed when an animal, plant, or other organism dies, its flesh decays and bones deteriorate due to chemical reactions
unconformity
a surface of contact between two groups of unconformable strata.
mass extinction
extinction event is a widespread and rapid decrease in the biodiversity on Earth.