1. Which graph shows the relative duration of geologic time for the Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic time intervals?

2. (1) D → C → B → A → F (2) A → B → C → D → F And now…?
The cross section shows rock layers A, B, C, D, and fault F. The rock layers have not been overturned.
Which sequence places the rock layers and fault
in order from oldest to youngest? E
(1) D → C → B → A → F
(2) A → B → C → D → F
(3) F → D → C → B → A
(4) F → A → B → C → D
And now…?
D → C → B → A → F → E

3. If Rock Unit D was deposited 210 million years ago, and Rock Unit B was deposited 340 million years ago, then igneous intrusion C probably occurred
(1) 150 million years ago (3) 211 million years ago
(2) 300 million years ago (4) 347 million years ago

4. If Rock Unit B was deposited 340 million years ago, then Rock Unit A probably occurred during which period?
(1) Neogene (3) Permian
(2) Pennsylvanian (4) Silurian

5. Rock Unit A was deposited during the Silurian. At this time
(1) Extensive coal forming forests existed in NY
(2) Index Fossil P (Cooksonia ) was alive in NY
(3) The initial opening of the Atlantic Ocean occurred
(4) Birds flew in NY skies

6. Based upon the diagram shown, the contact metamorphism of Rock Unit B probably creates
(1) Gneiss (3) Basalt
(2) Quartzite (4) Sandstone

7. Which two landscape regions in New York State have the oldest surface bedrock?
(1) Allegheny Plateau and Newark Lowlands
(2) Tug Hill Plateau and Erie-Ontario Lowlands
(3) Taconic Mountains and the Catskills
(4) Adirondack Mountains and Hudson Highlands

8. The presence of coal in Antarctica indicates that
(1) forests can grow on continental glaciers
(2) coal can form in cold climates
(3) Antarctica’s climate was once warmer
(4) Antarctica currently has tropical areas

9. Which river in New York State flows for several miles over surface bedrock that is more than 542 million years old?
(1) Mohawk (3) Genesee
(2) Susquehanna (4) Hudson
542 million years old = Cambrian

10. The geologic time line below represents the three most recent geologic eras. The numbers represent events in Earth’s history.
Which number best represents when humans are inferred to have first appeared on Earth?
(1) (2) (3) 3
(4) 4

11. The index fossil known as Dicellograptus is found in this rock layer
Radio dating estimates the fossil to be from 452 mya (+/- .5 my). When were these rock layers deposited?
(1) The early Cambrian
(2) The middle Devonian (4) The Paleogene
(3) The late Ordovician

12. Which index fossil may be found in the surface bedrock near Ithaca, New York?

13. Permian-age coral fossils may have an age of
(1) 278 million years
(2) 463 million years
(3) 22 million years
(4) 380 million years

14. (2) Ordovician (4) Triassic
The photograph shows a bedrock outcrop in northeastern New York State. Line AB is an unconformity between sandstone C and metamorphic rock D.
The lower layers of sediment found in sandstone C were deposited 520 million years ago. During which period of geologic time did this deposition occur?
After the metamorphism of rock D, which sequence of events most probably formed unconformity AB?
flooding → deposition → erosion → uplift
(2) uplift → erosion → flooding → deposition
(3) deposition → flooding → uplift → erosion
(4) erosion → flooding → uplift → deposition
Cambrian (3) Silurian
(2) Ordovician (4) Triassic

15. Cambrian or Precambrian.
The photograph shows a bedrock outcrop in northeastern New York State. Line AB is an unconformity between sandstone C and metamorphic rock D.
If the lower layers of sediment found in sandstone C were deposited during the Cambrian, when may layer D have formed?
Cambrian or Precambrian.

16. The index fossil known as Valcouroceras may likely be found in rocks near which New York State location?
Niagara Falls
(2) Ithaca
(3) Albany
(4) Riverhead