The change from catastrophism to uniformitarianism made scientists decide that Earth must be _____ than previously thought.
younger
older
more populated
less populated
If Fossil A is found in a lower rock layer, and Fossil B is found in an upper rock layer, then Species A most likely _____.
existed for a relatively short period of time
evolved from Species B
existed less recently than Species B
existed more recently than Species B
A particular radioactive isotope has a half-life of 200 years. At what time will there be 25% of the isotope left?
400 years
1,400 years
600 years
800 years
Why do many geologists study layers of strata?
They are interested in the exploitation of fossil fuels.
They want to learn more about the history of the Earth.
They are interested in determining how dinosaurs went extinc
They hope to discover Greek-era ruins.
Which of the following terms is used to describe the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by releasing radiation?
Radioactive stabilization
Radioactive decay
Radioactive explosion
Radiocentric decay
Which of the following would NOT be a good trait for an index fossil?
It is difficult to miss when looking for fossils.
It is easy to tell which species it is.
It is found in only one place in the world.
It is found in only a small portion of geologic history.
Any fault lines or igneous intrusions that cut across a set of rock strata must be _____ that set of rock.
the same age as
creating an inclusion in
older than
younger than
An interface between discontinuous layers of rock is called _____.
a cross-cut
an inclusion
an intrusion
an unconformity
Which of the following is the term used for the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by releasing radiation?
Radioactive neutralization
Gamma ray reduction
Radioactive decay
Radioactive detection
What relatively recent epoch ended roughly 12,000 years ago?
The Miocene Epoch
The Pliocene Epoch
The Pleistocene Epoch
The Holocene Epoch
If Sedimentary Layer A occurs above Sedimentary Layer C and Sedimentary Layer B is below Sedimentary Layer C, which of the following is the correct order of the layers (from oldest to youngest)?
C, A, B
C, B, A
A, B, C
B, C, A
The statement Rock A is seventeen years old is an example of _____.
strata dating
relative dating
radiometric dating
numerical dating
Rock Strata A contains Fossil X. It is below Rock Strata C which contains Fossil Z. Rock Strata B contains Fossil Y. It is above Rock Strata C. Which of the following is the correct order of the fossils (from oldest to youngest)?
X, Y, Z
X, Z, Y
Z, X, Y
Y, X, Z
Today, geologists believe mostly in _____, with a little bit of _____.
catastrophism; uniformitarianism
catastrophism; evolution
evolution; catastrophism
uniformitarianism; catastrophism
The Mesozoic Era was the Age of Dinosaurs, and the current Cenozoic Era is the Age of _____.
Humans
Birds
Ice
Mammals
The statement Rock A is fifty years older than Rock B is an example of _____.
numerical dating
fossil dating
radiometric dating
relative dating
A scientist would not be able to use radiocarbon dating to find the age of which of the following samples?
Cloth from an ancient garment found in 500-year-old burial
Stone from a 1,000-year-old settlement
Tissue from a human body found in 16th-century burial
Wood from a 2,000-year-old settlement
Not all parts of a creature are likely to be fossilized. Paleontologists typically find fossils made from a creature's _____.
Bones
All answers choices are correct
Teeth
Shells
A large nucleus may get to a more stable state by emitting two protons and two neutrons. This describes which type of radioactive decay?
Gamma Decay
Beta Decay
Delta Decay
Alpha Decay
Rapid burial protects a deceased body from all of the following EXCEPT:
temperature fluctuations
mud
trampling
weathering
What characteristics are observed via correlation, which is a relative dating process used in determining the age of rock layers?
Observing similarities types fossils at different locations
Observing similarities in weather patterns
Observing similar vegetation patterns
None of these answers are correct.
The best conditions for preservation of soft tissues are _____ temperatures and _____ air.
warm; humid
cold; humid
cold; dry
warm; dry
Which geological principle only applies to sedimentary rock layers?
Superposition
cutting
Original horizontality
Succession
A geologist who asserts that evolution patterns in the Earth occur following a consistent pattern over long periods of time belongs to what family of theorists?
Utilitarian
Progressive
Uniformitarian
Catastrophism