Home > An Introduction to Geology > Concept #2 Quiz
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
The separation of "periods" is based upon fossil succession only. The separation of "periods" is based upon superposition and fossil succession both. The separation of "periods" is based upon absolute dating of strata. The separation of "periods" is based upon superposition and relative dating of strata.
