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Concept #2 Quiz

Concept #2 Quiz
Choose the best possible answer to the following questions about Key Concept 2 "History of geology: Catastrophism v. uniformitarianism, and understanding geological time."

This activity contains 8 questions.

	Geological time should be considered when examining Earth's natural processes for all of the following reasons except _____.   Natural phenomena occur over such a long time span that “human” time is insufficient to understand them. Geological processes are usually too fast to be seen. Most processes can be seen directly, but in part only, not in total. Most phenomena are too slow to perceive.

	Catastrophism is the idea that _______.   a. Earth’s landscapes have been shaped by sudden worldwide disasters b. Earth’s landscapes have been shaped suddenly by unknown forces not in operation today c. physical, chemical and biological laws that operate today have also operated in the past d. Earth’s landscapes have been shaped by the influence of the Moon, planets, stars and the Sun e. catastrophies will happen more often each century until Earth experiences a worldwide disaster both a and b both a and d both b and e

	Hutton’s idea of Earth’s uniformitarianism is that _______.   a. Earth’s landscapes have been shaped by sudden worldwide disasters b. Earth’s landscapes have been shaped suddenly by unknown forces not in operation today c. physical, chemical and biological laws that operate today have also operated in the past d. Earth’s landscapes have been shaped by the influence of the Moon, planets, stars and the Sun e. catastrophies will happen more often each century until Earth experiences a worldwide disaster both a and b both a and d both d and e

	All of the following observations and conclusions are consistent with the concept of “uniformitarianism” except ______.   Sand rolling along a stream bottom shows that sediment is moving downstream. Along a coastline, wave-cut erosional features now well above sea level indicate that the land was uplifted. Layers in sand that compose a modern beach today that are similar to layers in sandstone formed millions of years ago illustrate that there have been similar beaches in Earth’s past. An erupting volcano proves that burning subterranean coal beds provide the heat. Layers in sandstone found at the top of a mountain that are similar to layers at a sandy beach illustrate that the sandstone used to be sand at sea level some time ago.

	Which of the following best explains the principle of superposition?   Strata with fossils are generally deposited on strata with no fossils. All sedimentary deposits accumulate on older rock or sediment layers. Older strata generally are deposited directly on younger strata without intervening, intermediate age strata.

	Which of the following best explains why “geological time” is difficult for people to understand?   Geological time includes the entire age of the Earth, a length of time that is difficult to understand for most people. People are accustomed to dealing with increments of time that are measured in hours, days, weeks and years, but Geological Time is measured in millions of years. Geological time includes most of the age of the Earth, a length of time that is simple to comprehend for most people. People are accustomed to dealing with increments of time that are measured in millions of years, but Geological Time is measured in hours, days, weeks and years.

	What is the primary principle used by geologists to separate periods of geological time, and ultimately construct the geological time scale. Why?   Uniformitarianism --- This allows accurate ages to be placed upon individual rock layers across the Earth. Fossil succession --- This allows accurate ages to be placed upon individual rock layers across the Earth. Uniformitarianism --- This allows correlations of similar age rock strata found in different locations across the Earth. Superposition --- This allows correlations of similar age rock strata found in different locations across the Earth. Superposition --- This allows accurate ages to be placed upon individual rock layers across the Earth. Fossil succession --- This allows correlations of similar age rock strata found in different locations across the Earth.

	Refering to the Geological Time Scale below, why do the "periods" represent different spans of time?   The separation of "periods" is based upon superposition and relative dating of strata. The separation of "periods" is based upon fossil succession only. The separation of "periods" is based upon absolute dating of strata. The separation of "periods" is based upon superposition and fossil succession both.

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