fossil records Flashcards
catastrophism
the theory that changes in the earth’s crust during geological history have resulted chiefly from sudden violent and unusual events
uniformitarianism
the theory that changes in the earth’s crust during geological history have resulted from the action of continuous and uniform processes
paleontology
the branch of science concerned with fossil animals and plants
relative dating
science of determining the relative order of past events
absolute dating
Absolute dating is the process of determining an age on a specified chronology
superposition
the action of placing one thing on or above another, especially so that they coincide
isotope
two or more types of atoms that have the same atomic number
radioactive decay
the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation
half-life
time required for a quantity (of substance) to reduce to half of its initial value
fossil
the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock
trace fossil
fossil record of biological activity but not the preserved remains of the plant or animal itself
mold
distinctive and typical style, form, or character
cast
an object made by shaping molten metal or similar material in a moldf
unconformity
surface of contact between two groups of unconformable strata
mass extinction
widespread and rapid decrease in the biodiversity on Earth
