1. The Rock Record
Chapter 8

2. p.185
Uniform
itarianism
A principle that geologic processes that occurred in the past can be explained by current geologic processes.
Volcanism and Erosion

3. p.186
Relative Age
The age of an object in relation to the age of other objects

4. Law of Superposition Newest Oldest p.187
The law that a sedimentary rock layer is older than the layers above it and younger than the layers below it if the layers are not distrubed
Newest
Oldest

5. Un ities p.189 Click Here to see animation
conform
Un ities p.189 Click Here to see animation
A break in the geologic record created when rock layers are eroded or when sediment is not deposited for a long period of time.

6. p.191
Absolute Age
The numeric age of an object or event, often stated in years before the present.
Using a process like “radiometric dating” or “carbon dating”

7. p.192
Rates of Deposition
In general, about 30 cm of sedimentary rock are deposited over a period of 1,000 years.
However, a flood can deposit many meters of sediment in just one day.

8. p.193
Radiometric Dating
A method of determining the absolute age of an object by comparing the relative percentages of a radioactive (parent) and a stable (daughter) isotope.
Half-Life: the time required for half of a sample of a radioactive isotope to break down.

9. Carbon-14 Dating p.1 Plants absorb Carbon during Photosynthesis
Scientists compare the carbon isotopes 12C and 14C (radioactive)
This can be used to determine the ages of wood, bones, shells and other organic remains that are less than 7,000 years old.

10. Paleontology
The scientific study of fossils.

11. p.199
Trace Fossils
Fossilized evidence of past movement of an animal such as tracks, footprints, borings and borrows.

12. p.200
Index Fossils
A fossil that is used to establish the age of rock layers because it is:
Distinct – features different from other fossils
Abundant – occurs in fairly large numbers
Widespread – present in scattered rocks
Existed only for a short span of geologic time

13. Eras & Periods Precambrian makes up about 88% of Earth’s history!
Paleozoic
Mesozoic
Cenozoic
Precambrian makes up about 88% of Earth’s history!
Most rocks from that time have been severely deformed and altered by plate tectonics.
Fossils are rare because life-forms lacked bones, shells or other hard parts to make fossils.
The most popular Precambrian fossils are Stromatolites.

14. Eras & Periods Fossils of the first vertebrates appear (Paleo…)
Precambrian
Paleozoic
Mesozoic
Cenozoic
Fossils of the first vertebrates appear (Paleo…)
Most fossil fuels (coal and oil deposits) formed during the Carboniferous Period.
“Carbonization” is the term for how plant remains were turned into coal and oil..
The Super-Continent “Pangea” formed at the end of this era – about 250 million years ago!

15. Eras & Periods Mesozoic: known as the Age of Reptiles
Precambrian
Paleozoic
Mesozoic
Cenozoic
Mesozoic: known as the Age of Reptiles
Dinosaurs first appeared during the Triassic Period, but they really dominated in the Jurassic Period.
Dinosaurs supposedly became extinct when a giant meteorite crashed into Earth (impact hypothesis).

16. Eras & Periods Cenozoic Era is known as the Age of Mammals.
Precambrian
Paleozoic
Mesozoic
Cenozoic
Cenozoic Era is known as the Age of Mammals.
Human civilization developed during the Quaternary Period.