Fossil Records Flashcards
uniformitarianism
the theory that changes in the earth’s crust during geological history has resulted from the action of continuous and uniform processes.
catastrophism
the theory that changes in the earth’s crust during geological history has resulted chiefly from sudden violent and unusual events.
paleontology
the branch of science concerned with fossil animals and plants.
relative dating
the science of determining the relative order of past events, without necessarily determining their absolute age
absolute dating
the process of determining an age on a specified chronology in archaeology and geology
superposition
the ability of a quantum system to be in multiple states at the same time until it is measured
isotope
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.
radioactive decay
the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation.
half-life
the time is taken for the radioactivity of a specified isotope to fall to half its original value.
fossil
the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock.
trace fossil
a fossil of a footprint, trail, burrow, or another trace of an animal rather than of the animal itself.
mold
a fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae.
cast
cause (light or shadow) to appear on a surface.
unconformity
a surface of contact between two groups of unconformable strata.
mass extinction
a widespread and rapid decrease in the biodiversity on Earth
