fossil records Flashcards

1
Q

uniformitarianism

A

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

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2
Q

catastrophism

A

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

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3
Q

paleontology

A

the scientific study of life in the geologic past, based on examination of fossilized remains of once living organisms, such as tracks, bones, teeth, plants, and shells.

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4
Q

relative dating

A

the process of determining if one rock or geologic event is older or younger than another, without knowing their specific ages

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5
Q

absolute dating

A

measure the physical properties of an object itself and use these measurements to calculate its age.

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6
Q

superposition

A

a major principle of stratigraphy stating that within a sequence of layers of sedimentary rock

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7
Q

isotope

A

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.

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8
Q

radioactive decay

A

the process in which a radioactive atom spontaneously gives off radiation in the form of energy or particles to reach a more stable state.

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9
Q

half-life

A

The time required for one-half of the radioactive (parent) isotopes in a sample to decay to radiogenic (daughter) isotopes.

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10
Q

fossil

A

the preserved remains of plants and animals whose bodies were buried in sediments, such as sand and mud, under ancient seas, lakes and rivers.

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11
Q

trace fossil

A

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

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12
Q

mold

A

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

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13
Q

cast

A

mineralized sediment that fills the mold recreates the shape of the remains.

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14
Q

unconformity

A

a surface of contact between two groups of unconformable strata.

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15
Q

mass extinction

A

An extinction event is a widespread and rapid decrease in the biodiversity on Earth.

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16
Q

Jurassic period

A

199.6 million to 145.5 million years ago ruled by dinosaurs

17
Q

Cretaceous period

A

between 145.5 and 65.5 million years ago ruled by dinosaurs

18
Q

Devonian period

A

419.2 million years ago ruled by fish

19
Q

Quaternary period

A

2.58 million years ago ruled by herbivores

20
Q

Permian period

A

298.9 million years ago ruled by dinosaurs