8th Grade Geological Evolution Test

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  • 1/18 Questions

    What does a geologist study?

    • Geology- rocks, and the shape of the earth
    • Fossils, Ancient organisms
    • Unconformities
    • Continental Drift
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8th Grade Geological Evolution Test - Quiz
About This Quiz

This 8th Grade Geological Evolution Test assesses knowledge in geology, paleontology, and geological formations. Students identify what geologists and paleontologists study, types of mountains, relative age concepts, and geological discontinuities. It's essential for understanding Earth's physical structure and historical development.

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  • 2. 

    What is Relative age?

    • It is when the continents brok up, and moved.

    • Comparing fossils or rocks to the layers around it.

    • The forces that shaped the earth are still shaping it today.

    • Breaking down rock through acid rain, and plants on the side of the rock.

    Correct Answer
    A. Comparing fossils or rocks to the layers around it.
    Explanation
    Relative age refers to the process of comparing fossils or rocks to the layers around them. By examining the position of fossils or rocks in relation to the layers they are found in, scientists can determine the relative age of these objects. This method relies on the principle of superposition, which states that in undisturbed rock layers, the oldest rocks are found at the bottom while the youngest rocks are found at the top. By using this principle, scientists can establish the relative order of events in Earth's history.

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  • 3. 

    What does a paleontologist study?

    • Geology- rocks, and the shape of the earth

    • Fossils, Ancient organisms

    • Chemical Weathering

    • Mechanical Weathering

    Correct Answer
    A. Fossils, Ancient organisms
    Explanation
    A paleontologist studies fossils and ancient organisms. They examine and analyze these remnants of past life to understand the history of life on Earth, including the evolution and extinction of various species. By studying fossils, paleontologists can gain insights into the Earth's geological and biological past, reconstruct ancient ecosystems, and contribute to our understanding of the origins and development of different life forms.

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  • 4. 

    What does the Law of Superposition have to do with relative age?

    • The Same forces that shape the earth are still shaping it today.

    • Rock layers are the oldest on the bottom, and youngest on the top.

    • Faults slide together to cause earthquakes.

    • Rockss break down through friction, wind,or water freezing and thawing.

    Correct Answer
    A. Rock layers are the oldest on the bottom, and youngest on the top.
    Explanation
    The Law of Superposition states that in an undisturbed sequence of rock layers, the oldest rocks are found at the bottom and the youngest rocks are found at the top. This principle helps geologists determine the relative ages of different rock layers and the events that occurred in the past. By examining the position of the rocks, they can infer the order in which they were deposited and understand the geological history of an area. Therefore, the Law of Superposition is directly related to the concept of relative age.

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  • 5. 

    What is a Continental Drift?

    • It is when the continents broke up and moved.

    • It messes up the sequence of sedimentary layers.

    • The lava under the techtonic plates.

    • When faults slide together to cause earthquakes.

    Correct Answer
    A. It is when the continents broke up and moved.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "It is when the continents broke up and moved." This explanation accurately describes the concept of continental drift, which refers to the movement of the Earth's continents over time. It suggests that the continents were once connected as a supercontinent called Pangaea, but gradually separated and moved to their current positions. This theory was proposed by Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century and is supported by evidence from geology, paleontology, and plate tectonics.

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  • 6. 

    How are faults connected to earthquakes?

    • Nothing they are the same.

    • Faults slide together to cause earthquakes.

    • It moves because of the lava under the techtonic plates.

    • Fossils

    Correct Answer
    A. Faults slide together to cause earthquakes.
    Explanation
    Faults are connected to earthquakes because they are the actual sources of seismic activity. Faults are fractures in the Earth's crust where rocks on either side have moved relative to each other. When stress builds up along a fault line, it eventually overcomes the friction holding the rocks together, causing them to slide past each other. This sudden release of energy creates seismic waves that result in an earthquake. Therefore, faults and earthquakes are directly related, with faults serving as the primary cause of seismic events.

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  • 7. 

    Whatt is the difference in an nonconformity and a disconformity?

    • Nothing they are the same.

    • A nonconformity is an up lift, a disconformity is an intrusion.

    • Radioactive Decay

    • Continental Drift.

    Correct Answer
    A. A nonconformity is an up lift, a disconformity is an intrusion.
    Explanation
    The correct answer states that a nonconformity is an uplift, while a disconformity is an intrusion. This suggests that the two terms refer to different geological processes or features. A nonconformity occurs when sedimentary rock layers are uplifted and exposed to erosion, and then younger sedimentary rocks are deposited on top of the eroded surface. On the other hand, a disconformity refers to a break or interruption in the sedimentary rock sequence, where there is a time gap or missing layers of sediment. Therefore, the explanation clarifies the distinction between these two geological terms.

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  • 8. 

    What is Mechanical Weathering?

    • Rocks break down through friction from erosion, wind, or water freezing and thawing.

    • Breaking down rock through acid rain and plants growing on rocks.

    • Comparing fossils or rocks to layers around it.

    • The mess up of the sequence of sedimentary layers.

    Correct Answer
    A. Rocks break down through friction from erosion, wind, or water freezing and thawing.
    Explanation
    Mechanical weathering is the process by which rocks are broken down into smaller fragments through physical forces such as friction caused by erosion, wind, or the freezing and thawing of water. This type of weathering does not involve any chemical reactions, but rather the physical breaking apart of rocks into smaller pieces.

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  • 9. 

    Why do unconformities cause geologist and paleontologist trouble?

    • They Mess up the sequence of sedimentary rock layers.

    • They don't

    • It can determin the half-life.

    • Faults slide toghether to cause earthquakes.

    Correct Answer
    A. They Mess up the sequence of sedimentary rock layers.
    Explanation
    Unconformities cause trouble for geologists and paleontologists because they disrupt the normal sequence of sedimentary rock layers. Unconformities represent gaps in the rock record, where erosion or non-deposition has occurred. This makes it difficult to accurately determine the age and order of the rock layers, which is crucial for understanding the history of the Earth and the organisms that lived during different time periods. Unconformities can also complicate the interpretation of fossil assemblages, as they can result in missing or incomplete fossil records.

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  • 10. 

    How can you use radioactive decay of an istope to date a fossil or a rock?

    • There is not a long enough half-life.

    • It can determin the Half-life.

    • It is when continents broke up and moved.

    • Continental Drift

    Correct Answer
    A. It can determin the Half-life.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "It can determine the half-life." Radioactive decay occurs at a constant rate, and each radioactive isotope has a specific half-life, which is the time it takes for half of the parent isotope to decay into the daughter isotope. By measuring the ratio of parent to daughter isotopes in a fossil or rock sample, scientists can calculate how many half-lives have passed and thus determine the age of the sample.

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  • 11. 

    What is Chemical Weathering?

    • Rocks break down through friction, wind, or water freezing and thawing.

    • Breaking down rocks through acid rain and plants growng on the rock.

    • The forces that shape the earth are still shaping it today.

    • Radioactive Decay

    Correct Answer
    A. Breaking down rocks through acid rain and plants growng on the rock.
    Explanation
    Chemical weathering is the process by which rocks are broken down through the chemical reactions caused by substances like acid rain and the growth of plants on the rock. This type of weathering occurs when chemical reactions alter the composition of the rock, weakening its structure and causing it to break apart. Acid rain, which contains acidic substances, can react with certain minerals in the rock, leading to their dissolution. Additionally, plants can release organic acids that contribute to the breakdown of rocks by dissolving minerals. Together, these processes contribute to the gradual degradation and erosion of rocks over time.

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  • 12. 

    What is the process in which an isotope breaks down into a normal atom of an element or another element?

    • Geology

    • Raioactive Decay

    • Half-life

    • Continental Drift

    Correct Answer
    A. Raioactive Decay
    Explanation
    Radioactive decay is the process in which an isotope breaks down into a normal atom of an element or another element. This process occurs when the unstable nucleus of an atom emits radiation in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. As a result of this emission, the isotope transforms into a different element or a stable isotope of the same element. This process is fundamental in understanding the behavior of radioactive elements and is widely used in various scientific fields, including geology, medicine, and nuclear energy.

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  • 13. 

    How do techtonic plates move?

    • They don't

    • The lava under the techtonic plates makes the techtonic plates move.

    • Continental drift

    • Isotope

    Correct Answer
    A. The lava under the techtonic plates makes the techtonic plates move.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is that the movement of tectonic plates is caused by the lava underneath them. This is known as plate tectonics, where the heat from the Earth's core causes the molten rock to rise and create convection currents. These currents push the tectonic plates, causing them to move and interact with each other. This movement can result in various geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains.

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  • 14. 

    How did Pangaea break up- describe the process that drove the break up?

    • Continental Drift

    • It moved because of the lava under the techtonic plates.

    • Geology

    • Radioactive Decay

    Correct Answer
    A. Continental Drift
    Explanation
    Pangaea broke up due to the process of Continental Drift. This refers to the gradual movement of the Earth's continents over time. The movement is driven by the shifting of tectonic plates, which are large pieces of the Earth's lithosphere that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath them. As these plates move, they can collide, separate, or slide past each other. In the case of Pangaea, the supercontinent began to break apart around 200 million years ago. This was caused by the movement of the tectonic plates, which resulted in the separation of the continents into their current positions.

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  • 15. 

    What are the four types of mountains?

    • Folded

    • Upwarped

    • Fault Block

    • Volcanic

    • Chemical

    • Mechanical

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. Folded
    A. Upwarped
    A. Fault Block
    A. Volcanic
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Folded, Upwarped, Fault Block, and Volcanic. These four types of mountains are classified based on their formation processes. Folded mountains are formed when tectonic plates collide and compress, causing the rock layers to fold and create mountain ranges. Upwarped mountains are created when the Earth's crust is pushed upward by forces within the Earth, forming gently sloping mountain ranges. Fault Block mountains are formed when large blocks of the Earth's crust are uplifted and tilted along fault lines. Volcanic mountains are formed by the accumulation of volcanic materials, such as lava and ash, from volcanic eruptions.

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  • 16. 

    Why can Carbon- 14 dating not be used for sedimentary rocks?

    • It Can

    • There is not a long enough half-life.

    • Faults slide together

    • Continental Drift

    Correct Answer
    A. There is not a long enough half-life.
    Explanation
    Carbon-14 dating relies on the decay of carbon-14 isotopes, which have a relatively short half-life of about 5,730 years. Sedimentary rocks are formed through the accumulation of sediment over time, and they often contain organic material. However, because sedimentary rocks are composed of particles that have been eroded and transported from different sources, the organic material within them may not have formed at the same time as the rock itself. Therefore, using carbon-14 dating on sedimentary rocks would not provide accurate results due to the lack of a long enough half-life for the isotopes to decay and be measured.

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  • 17. 

    What is uniformitarianism?

    • The same forces that shaped the earth are still shaping it today.

    • The mess up of the sequence of sedimentary layers.

    • Rock layers are the oldest on the bottom, and youngest on top.

    • Comparing fossils or rocks to layers around it.

    Correct Answer
    A. The same forces that shaped the earth are still shaping it today.
    Explanation
    Uniformitarianism is the belief that the same natural processes and forces that operated in the past are still occurring today and have shaped the Earth over time. This principle suggests that the geological features and processes we observe today can be used to understand the past and predict future changes. It emphasizes the idea of gradual and continuous change rather than sudden and catastrophic events. This concept is important in the field of geology as it provides a framework for interpreting geological phenomena and understanding the Earth's history.

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  • 18. 

    What is the difference in absolute and radiometric dating?

    • Nothing they are the same.

    • Rocks break down through friction from erosion, wind, or water freezing and thawing.

    • Absolute Dating can determine the half-life.

    • Radiometric dating can mess up the sequence of sedimentary layers.

    Correct Answer
    A. Nothing they are the same.
    Explanation
    The given answer states that there is no difference between absolute and radiometric dating. However, this answer is incorrect. Absolute dating refers to the process of determining the exact age of a fossil or rock sample in years, while radiometric dating is a specific type of absolute dating that uses the decay of radioactive isotopes to determine the age of a sample. Therefore, the correct explanation is that the given answer is incorrect.

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  • Current Version
  • Oct 24, 2024
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Dec 07, 2011
    Quiz Created by
    Dennisonee

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