Paleozoic Life, Mesozoic Events, Mesozoic Life(Invertebrates Only)

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  • 1/42 Questions

    The age of the Burgess shale fauna is mainly __________.

    • Neoproterozoic
    • Early Cambrian
    • Middle Cambrian
    • Late Cambrian
    • Middle Ordovician
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About This Quiz

Explore the evolution of life through the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, focusing on invertebrates. This quiz covers key events and adaptations, including the Burgess shale fauna, development of seeds in plants, and shifts in reef ecosystems, enhancing understanding of historical biological processes.

Paleozoic Life, Mesozoic Events, Mesozoic Life(Invertebrates Only) - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    This type of coral replaced the principle Silurian reef-forming coral as the main reef-forming coral during Devonian and Carboniferous.

    • Rugose and tabulate

    • Tetracorals

    • Scleractinids

    • Archaeocyathids and sponges

    • Pentacorals

    Correct Answer
    A. Rugose and tabulate
    Explanation
    During the Devonian and Carboniferous periods, the rugose and tabulate corals replaced the principal Silurian reef-forming coral as the main reef-forming coral. These types of corals were dominant during this time and played a significant role in the formation of reefs. The rugose corals had a distinctive horn-like appearance, while the tabulate corals had a more colonial structure. Together, these corals formed diverse and extensive reef systems, contributing to the overall biodiversity and ecological balance of the oceans during that period.

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  • 3. 

    Why did the innovation of the seed liberate land plants from their dependence on moist conditions and allow them to invade drier habitats in the Devonian?

    • The seed, which results from mutation, is released as a durable structure that can sprout into a plant when conditions become favorable.

    • The seed, which results from fertilization, is released as a delicate structure that can sprout into a plant when conditions become favorable.

    • The seed, which results from fertilization, is released as a durable structure that can sprout into a plant when conditions become favorable.

    • The spore, which results from fertilization, is released as a durable structure that can sprout into a plant when conditions become favorable.

    Correct Answer
    A. The seed, which results from fertilization, is released as a durable structure that can sprout into a plant when conditions become favorable.
    Explanation
    The innovation of the seed allowed land plants to invade drier habitats because the seed is a durable structure that can withstand harsh conditions. This durability allows the seed to remain dormant until conditions become favorable for germination, ensuring the survival of the plant in dry environments. Unlike spores, which are delicate and easily damaged, seeds provide a protective covering and a store of nutrients, increasing the chances of successful reproduction and colonization in drier habitats.

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  • 4. 

    This fossil shell has symmetrical valves.

    • Mollusk

    • Brachiopod

    • Foraminifera

    • Bryozoan

    • Trilobite

    Correct Answer
    A. Brachiopod
    Explanation
    Brachiopods are marine invertebrates that have symmetrical shells with two valves. These valves are mirror images of each other, creating a symmetrical appearance. This characteristic is unique to brachiopods and distinguishes them from other organisms listed as options. Mollusks, foraminifera, bryozoans, and trilobites do not typically have symmetrical valves in their shells, making them incorrect answers. Therefore, the correct answer is brachiopod.

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  • 5. 

    How did the reef ecosystem change during the Cretaceous Period?

    • Burrowing bivalves temporarily displaced corals as the primary builders of organic reefs in the mid-Cretaceous.

    • Rudist corals temporarily displaced corals as the primary builders of organic reefs in the mid-Cretaceous.

    • Rudist bivalves temporarily displaced corals as the primary builders of organic reefs in the mid-Cretaceous.

    • Rudist sponges temporarily displaced corals as the primary builders of organic reefs in the mid-Cretaceous.

    Correct Answer
    A. Rudist bivalves temporarily displaced corals as the primary builders of organic reefs in the mid-Cretaceous.
    Explanation
    During the Cretaceous Period, the primary builders of organic reefs were temporarily displaced by rudist bivalves. This means that the rudist bivalves took over the role of building reefs from corals for a certain period of time.

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  • 6. 

    The unique calcareous and phosphatic fossil group spanning the Neoproterozoic-Cambrian boundary is called _______.

    • Tetrapods

    • Amniotes

    • Therapsids

    • Small shelly faunas

    • Burgess Shake fauna

    Correct Answer
    A. Small shelly faunas
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "small shelly faunas". This term refers to a specific group of fossils that are composed of calcium carbonate and phosphate. These fossils are unique because they span the boundary between the Neoproterozoic and Cambrian periods. They are called "small shelly faunas" because they consist of small shell-like structures that belonged to various marine organisms. These fossils provide valuable information about the evolution and diversification of early animal life during this time period.

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  • 7. 

    This type of organism comprised the principle reef-builder during the Cambrian.

    • Rugose

    • Tetracorals

    • Scleractinids

    • Archaeocyathids and sponges

    • Pentacorals

    Correct Answer
    A. Archaeocyathids and sponges
    Explanation
    During the Cambrian period, archaeocyathids and sponges were the main reef-building organisms. These organisms secreted calcium carbonate skeletons, which accumulated over time to form reefs. The other options, such as rugose and tetracorals, scleractinids, and pentacorals, were also present during the Cambrian, but they were not the primary reef-builders during this time.

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  • 8. 

    Bioturbation is caused by _________.

    • Epifaunal animals

    • Infaunal animals

    • Tetrapods

    • Fusulinids

    • Protistans

    Correct Answer
    A. Infaunal animals
    Explanation
    Bioturbation is the disturbance of sediment or soil by living organisms. Infaunal animals are organisms that live within the sediment or soil, such as burrowing worms, mollusks, or crustaceans. These organisms actively move and mix the sediment as they burrow and feed, causing bioturbation. Therefore, infaunal animals are the primary cause of bioturbation. Epifaunal animals live on the surface of the sediment, tetrapods are four-legged vertebrates that typically do not burrow, fusulinids are extinct marine organisms, and protistans are single-celled eukaryotes, none of which are known to cause significant bioturbation.

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  • 9. 

    The largest predator of the Burgess Shale was ________.

    • Cloudina

    • Aldanella

    • Anomalocaris

    • Opabinia

    • Hallucigenia

    Correct Answer
    A. Anomalocaris
    Explanation
    Anomalocaris is considered the largest predator of the Burgess Shale because of its size and predatory adaptations. Fossil evidence shows that Anomalocaris could grow up to a meter in length, making it one of the largest animals in the Burgess Shale ecosystem. Its body was equipped with large grasping appendages and a pair of compound eyes, suggesting that it was an active predator capable of capturing and consuming other organisms. Therefore, Anomalocaris is the most plausible option as the largest predator in the Burgess Shale.

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  • 10. 

    One of the most abundant three-lobed, swimming or crawling arthropods of the Cambrian were ________.

    • Trilobites

    • Eurypterids

    • Nautiloids

    • Goniatites

    • Ostracodes

    Correct Answer
    A. Trilobites
    Explanation
    Trilobites were one of the most abundant three-lobed, swimming or crawling arthropods during the Cambrian period. They were a diverse group of marine organisms that existed for over 270 million years. Trilobites had a hard exoskeleton and were well-adapted to various marine environments. They played a significant role in the ecosystem as both predators and prey, and their fossils provide valuable information about the ancient Earth's biodiversity and geological history.

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  • 11. 

    What might have caused the "Cambrian Explosion" of diversity?

    • Resources increased due to proliferation of plant life

    • Transgression provide new, available environments

    • Regression provide new, available environments

    • Predation increased therefore prey evolved and diversified

    • An increase of volcanism along divergent plate boundaries

    Correct Answer
    A. Predation increased therefore prey evolved and diversified
    Explanation
    The "Cambrian Explosion" of diversity might have been caused by an increase in predation. As predators became more abundant and efficient, their prey had to adapt and evolve in order to survive. This led to a diversification of species and an explosion of biodiversity during the Cambrian period.

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  • 12. 

    Found in the Burgess Shale fauna, this is one of the oldest chordates. 

    • Pikaia

    • Opabinia

    • Cathymyrus

    • Marrella

    • Cloudina

    Correct Answer
    A. Pikaia
    Explanation
    Pikaia is one of the oldest chordates found in the Burgess Shale fauna. The Burgess Shale is a fossil deposit that dates back to the Cambrian period, over 500 million years ago. Chordates are a group of animals that includes vertebrates, such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Pikaia is an important fossil because it represents an early form of chordate that may have been a precursor to vertebrates. Its discovery provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history of vertebrates.

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  • 13. 

    What is the Burgess Shale fauna's significance?

    • Reveals extraordinary evolutionary complexity and diversity

    • Reveals an unimaginable, anachronistic fauna

    • Documents the sequence of a turbidite flow

    • Records a remarkable oxygen isotope record indicating cool ocean temperatures

    • Records the first transgressive/regression cratonic sequence in the Phanerozoic

    Correct Answer
    A. Reveals extraordinary evolutionary complexity and diversity
    Explanation
    The Burgess Shale fauna's significance lies in its ability to reveal extraordinary evolutionary complexity and diversity. This fossil deposit, located in Canada, contains a wide range of exceptionally preserved organisms from the Cambrian period. These fossils provide valuable insights into the early stages of animal evolution and the diversity of life during that time. The Burgess Shale fauna has greatly contributed to our understanding of the complexity and diversity of life forms that existed millions of years ago.

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  • 14. 

    When did crinoids reach their greatest diversity?

    • Cambrian

    • Ordovician

    • Silurian

    • Devonian

    • Carboniferous

    Correct Answer
    A. Carboniferous
    Explanation
    During the Carboniferous period, crinoids reached their greatest diversity. This period, also known as the Age of Crinoids, lasted from approximately 358.9 to 298.9 million years ago. Crinoids are marine animals that resemble flowers, and they thrived during this time due to the abundance of warm, shallow seas. The Carboniferous period provided ideal conditions for crinoids to flourish, leading to a wide variety of species and a peak in their diversity.

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  • 15. 

    Cretaceous spans this entire interval (in millions of years). 

    • 251 to 65

    • 200 to 145

    • 145 to 65

    • 251 to 200

    • 200 to 145

    Correct Answer
    A. 145 to 65
    Explanation
    The correct answer is 145 to 65. The Cretaceous period lasted from 145 to 65 million years ago.

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  • 16. 

    Millions of years required for Pangea to rift apart into all Mesozoic continents.

    • 251

    • 150

    • 145

    • 65

    • 200

    Correct Answer
    A. 150
    Explanation
    The correct answer is 150 million years. This is the estimated time it took for the supercontinent Pangea to break apart into the separate continents that existed during the Mesozoic era. The process of rifting, where the Earth's crust pulls apart, began around 200 million years ago and continued for approximately 50 million years until the continents had fully separated.

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  • 17. 

    Mexico separated from South America during _______. 

    • Cenozoic

    • Triassic

    • Cretaceous

    • Jurassic

    • Archean

    Correct Answer
    A. Triassic
    Explanation
    During the Triassic period, Mexico separated from South America. The Triassic period was a time of significant geological and tectonic activity, including the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea. This resulted in the formation of new landmasses and the separation of existing continents. Mexico's separation from South America during this period is supported by geological evidence, such as the presence of similar rock formations and fossils on both sides of the boundary.

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  • 18. 

    South America split from Africa during _______.

    • Jurassic-Cretaceous

    • Triassic-Jurassic

    • Permian-Triassic

    • Paleozoic

    • Archean

    Correct Answer
    A. Jurassic-Cretaceous
    Explanation
    During the Jurassic-Cretaceous period, South America and Africa were part of the supercontinent called Gondwana. The breakup of Gondwana occurred during this time, leading to the separation of South America from Africa. This separation was caused by the movement of tectonic plates, specifically the South American Plate and the African Plate, which resulted in the formation of the South Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, the correct answer is Jurassic-Cretaceous.

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  • 19. 

    What was the tectonic and geographic configuration of western North America during Late Cretaceous time?

    • Orogenic activity shifted eastward from its Jurassic position, so that to the east of the orogenic belt an interior seaway stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean.

    • Orogenic activity shifted westward from its Jurassic position, so that to the west of the orogenic belt an interior seaway stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean.

    • Orogenic activity shifted eastward from its Triassic position, so that to the east of the orogenic belt an interior seaway stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean.

    • Orogenic activity shifted eastward from its Jurassic position, so that to the east of the orogenic belt an interior seaway stretched from the Pacific to the Mediterranean Ocean.

    Correct Answer
    A. Orogenic activity shifted eastward from its Jurassic position, so that to the east of the orogenic belt an interior seaway stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean.
    Explanation
    During the Late Cretaceous time, the tectonic and geographic configuration of western North America experienced a shift in orogenic activity. This shift caused the orogenic belt to move eastward from its Jurassic position. As a result, to the east of the orogenic belt, an interior seaway extended from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean. This configuration suggests that the orogenic activity and the resulting geological changes during this time period had a significant impact on the geography and the formation of the interior seaway in western North America.

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  • 20. 

    This rock unit fills many of the Triassic rifts on eastern coast of North Amercia.

    • Newark Group

    • Ripley Formation

    • Franciscan Formation

    • Shinarump Conglomerate

    • Carmel Formation

    Correct Answer
    A. Newark Group
    Explanation
    The Newark Group is the correct answer because it is a rock unit that fills many of the Triassic rifts on the eastern coast of North America. The Newark Group consists of sedimentary rocks, including sandstones, shales, and conglomerates, that were deposited during the Triassic period in a series of rift basins. These rifts formed as the supercontinent Pangaea began to break apart, and the Newark Group represents the sedimentary fill in these rift basins. The rocks of the Newark Group are important for understanding the geologic history and paleoenvironments of the Triassic period in eastern North America.

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  • 21. 

    During Permian-Trassic, a volcanic arc collided with the west coast thus causing this orogeny.

    • Servier

    • Nevadan

    • Sonoma

    • Tethys

    • Navajo

    Correct Answer
    A. Sonoma
    Explanation
    During the Permian-Trassic period, a volcanic arc collided with the west coast, leading to the formation of the Sonoma orogeny. This collision resulted in intense tectonic activity, including the uplift and folding of rocks, as well as the formation of mountain ranges. The Sonoma orogeny is a well-known geological event that occurred during this time, making it the correct answer.

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  • 22. 

    What is the sedimentary evidence for rifting of Pangea early in the Mesozoic Era?

    • Marine sediments mark zones where Pangea began to rift apart early in the Mesozoic Era.

    • Basalts mark zones where Pangea began to rift apart early in the Mesozoic Era.

    • Evaporites mark zones where Pangea began to rift apart early in the Mesozoic Era.

    • Igneous intrusions mark zones where Pangea began to rift apart early in the Mesozoic Era.

    Correct Answer
    A. Basalts mark zones where Pangea began to rift apart early in the Mesozoic Era.
    Explanation
    Basalts are igneous rocks that form from the solidification of lava. The presence of basalts in certain zones indicates that volcanic activity occurred, which is a common feature of rifting. Therefore, the presence of basalts suggests that Pangea began to rift apart early in the Mesozoic Era.

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  • 23. 

    The term for crumpled, altered rock sequences that are trapped between converging plates is ________. 

    • Thrust fault

    • Melange

    • Decollement

    • Ophiolite

    • Batholith

    Correct Answer
    A. Melange
    Explanation
    A melange refers to a mixture of different types of rocks that have been deformed and altered due to the intense pressure and movement caused by the convergence of tectonic plates. This process results in the rocks becoming crumpled and folded, creating a jumbled and chaotic sequence. Therefore, a melange is the correct term for crumpled, altered rock sequences that are trapped between converging plates.

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  • 24. 

    In the western U.S., Upper Jurassic swampy plain deposits rich in donosaur fossils are collectively called ________.

    • Chinle Formation

    • Sundance Formation

    • Navajo Sandstone

    • Morrison Formation

    • Shinarump Conglomerate

    Correct Answer
    A. Morrison Formation
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Morrison Formation. The Morrison Formation refers to the Upper Jurassic swampy plain deposits in the western U.S. that are known for their abundance of dinosaur fossils. This formation is famous for its diverse assemblage of dinosaur species, including iconic dinosaurs such as Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Apatosaurus. The fossils found in the Morrison Formation have provided valuable insights into the paleoecology and evolution of dinosaurs during the Late Jurassic period.

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  • 25. 

    During Late Cretaceous, there was a continental seaway that connected the Arctic Ocean with the _______.

    • Tethys

    • Gulf of Mexico

    • South Atlantic Ocean

    • Pacific Ocean

    • Sundance Sea

    Correct Answer
    A. Gulf of Mexico
    Explanation
    During the Late Cretaceous, a continental seaway connected the Arctic Ocean with the Gulf of Mexico. This seaway allowed for the exchange of marine organisms and water between these two bodies of water. The Gulf of Mexico served as a gateway for the Arctic Ocean, providing a connection between the Arctic region and the warmer waters of the Gulf. This seaway played a crucial role in the dispersal of marine life and the exchange of nutrients and sediments during this time period.

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  • 26. 

    Why did large bodies of nonmarine sediment accumulate in eastern North America during early Mesozoic time?

    • Fault-blocking basins formed during the rifting episode that eventually formed the Atlantic Ocean between North America and Eurasia; these basins received thick deposits of sediment.

    • Fault-blocking basins formed during the rifting episode that eventually formed the Atlantic Ocean between North America and Africa; these basins received thick deposits of sediment.

    • Fault-blocking basins formed during the rifting episode that eventually formed the Atlantic Ocean between South America and Africa; these basins received thick deposits of sediment.

    • Fault-blocking basins formed during the suturing episode that eventually formed the Atlantic Ocean between North America and Africa; these basins received thick deposits of sediment.

    Correct Answer
    A. Fault-blocking basins formed during the rifting episode that eventually formed the Atlantic Ocean between North America and Africa; these basins received thick deposits of sediment.
    Explanation
    Large bodies of nonmarine sediment accumulated in eastern North America during early Mesozoic time because fault-blocking basins formed during the rifting episode that eventually formed the Atlantic Ocean between North America and Africa. These basins received thick deposits of sediment.

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  • 27. 

    During Cretaceous, the general direction of motion of the subducting Pacific Plate under western North America was ______.

    • North

    • South

    • East

    • West

    • In no direction (stationary)

    Correct Answer
    A. East
    Explanation
    During the Cretaceous period, the subducting Pacific Plate moved in the eastward direction under western North America. This movement is supported by various geological evidence, such as the formation of mountain ranges like the Sierra Nevada and the volcanic activity in the region. The eastward motion of the Pacific Plate is a result of the tectonic forces and the subduction process occurring at the convergent boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate.

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  • 28. 

    Characteristic tectonic features of eastern rifted margin of North America were ______.

    • Salt domes

    • Fall lines subduction zones

    • Subduction zones

    • Downfaulted basins

    • Melanges

    Correct Answer
    A. Downfaulted basins
    Explanation
    The characteristic tectonic features of the eastern rifted margin of North America were downfaulted basins. Downfaulted basins are formed when the Earth's crust is pulled apart, causing the rocks to sink along normal faults. This creates elongated, depressed areas where sediment can accumulate. These basins are commonly found in rift zones, which are regions where the Earth's crust is being stretched and thinned. The presence of downfaulted basins in the eastern rifted margin of North America suggests that this region experienced tectonic extension and rifting processes in the past.

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  • 29. 

    Geological age of Franciscan Complex melange of California is _________.

    • Triassic

    • Triassic-Jurassic

    • Triassic-Jurassic-Cretaceous

    • Jurassic-Cretaceous

    • Cretaceous

    Correct Answer
    A. Triassic-Jurassic-Cretaceous
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Triassic-Jurassic-Cretaceous. The Franciscan Complex melange of California is composed of rocks from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. This complex is a mixture of different types of rocks that have been tectonically mixed together over time. The presence of rocks from these three different geological ages suggests that the Franciscan Complex has a complex history of formation and deformation.

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  • 30. 

    Arizona's Painted Desert, exposed in the Petrified Forest National Park, is developed mainly in this formation.

    • Moenkopi

    • Shinarump

    • Chinle

    • Kayenta

    • Wingate

    Correct Answer
    A. Chinle
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Chinle. The Chinle Formation is the main formation that makes up Arizona's Painted Desert, which is exposed in the Petrified Forest National Park. The Chinle Formation is known for its colorful layers of sedimentary rocks that display various hues of red, orange, purple, and gray. These vibrant colors are due to the presence of different minerals and the effects of weathering and erosion over millions of years. The Chinle Formation also contains a rich fossil record, with preserved remains of plants, animals, and even early dinosaurs.

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  • 31. 

    How did Ordovician life differ from Cambrian life?

    • A much more invertebrate fauna resembling that of later Paleozoic time, including many kinds of sponges, bryozoans, brachiopods, vertebrates, arthropods, and graptolites.

    • A much more invertebrate fauna resembling that of later Mesozoic time, including many kinds of corals, bryozoans, brachiopods, mollusks, graptolites, and vertebrates.

    • A much more invertebrate fauna resembling that of later Paleozoic time, including many kinds of corals, bryozoans, brachiopods, mollusks, echinoderms, and graptolites.

    • A much less invertebrate fauna resembling that of later Neoproterzoic time, including many kinds of small shelly faunas, small teeth and spines, mollusks, and echninoids.

    Correct Answer
    A. A much more invertebrate fauna resembling that of later Paleozoic time, including many kinds of corals, bryozoans, brachiopods, mollusks, echinoderms, and graptolites.
    Explanation
    The Ordovician life differed from Cambrian life in that it had a much more invertebrate fauna resembling that of later Paleozoic time. This included many kinds of corals, bryozoans, brachiopods, mollusks, echinoderms, and graptolites.

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  • 32. 

    Increased CO2 in the atmosphere results in _______.

    • Continental rifting

    • Basaltic volcanism

    • Global warming

    • Global cooling

    Correct Answer
    A. Global warming
    Explanation
    Increased CO2 in the atmosphere acts as a greenhouse gas, trapping heat from the sun and causing the Earth's temperature to rise, leading to global warming. This phenomenon has various negative consequences, including the melting of polar ice caps, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and disruptions to ecosystems and biodiversity. The increased CO2 levels primarily result from human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

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  • 33. 

    This usually helps bring on global warming:

    • Transgression

    • Regression

    • Extinction

    • Orogenesis

    Correct Answer
    A. Transgression
    Explanation
    Transgression refers to the process of the sea level rising and encroaching upon coastal areas, which can contribute to global warming. As the sea level rises, it leads to the flooding of low-lying coastal regions, resulting in the loss of land and displacement of people. This can also lead to the destruction of habitats and ecosystems, causing a release of stored carbon and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the flooding can impact agriculture and food production, further exacerbating the effects of global warming.

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  • 34. 

    What groups of animals were conspicuous in Triassic and Jurassic seas, and what groups that had been prominent in late Paleozoic time were absent?

    • The seas included bivalve gastropods, ammonoid mollusks, brachiopods, sea urchins, hexacorals, bony fishes, sharks, and swimming reptiles; tabulate and rugose corals, and trilobites, were absent.

    • The seas included tabulate and rugose corals, trilobites, and fusulinid foraminifera; bivalve gastropods, ammonoid mollusks, brachiopods, sea urchins, hexacorals, bony fishes, sharks, and swimming reptiles were absent.

    • The seas included bivalve gastropods, trilobites, brachiopods, fusulinis foraminifera, sea urchins, bony fishes, sharks, and swimming reptiles; tabulate and rugose corals, hexacorals, ammonoid mollusks, and were absent.

    • Tabulate reef communities and trilobites were gone, and the crinoids, lacy bryozoans, flakelike algae, fusulinid foraminifera, bony fishes, sharks, and swimming reptiles expanded enormously.

    Correct Answer
    A. The seas included bivalve gastropods, ammonoid mollusks, brachiopods, sea urchins, hexacorals, bony fishes, sharks, and swimming reptiles; tabulate and rugose corals, and trilobites, were absent.
    Explanation
    The correct answer states that in Triassic and Jurassic seas, the groups of animals that were conspicuous included bivalve gastropods, ammonoid mollusks, brachiopods, sea urchins, hexacorals, bony fishes, sharks, and swimming reptiles. However, tabulate and rugose corals, as well as trilobites, were absent during this time period. This suggests that these particular groups of animals were present in the seas during the Triassic and Jurassic periods, while other groups like tabulate and rugose corals and trilobites were no longer prominent.

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  • 35. 

    Warmest geological time interval listed below.

    • Early Triassic

    • Jurassic

    • Early Cretaceous

    • Late Cretaceous

    Correct Answer
    A. Early Cretaceous
    Explanation
    The Early Cretaceous is the warmest geological time interval listed because during this period, global temperatures were generally high and the climate was relatively warm. This was due to high levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, which led to a greenhouse effect and elevated temperatures. Additionally, during the Early Cretaceous, there was widespread volcanic activity, releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and further contributing to the warm climate.

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  • 36. 

    Continents of Pangea were still clustered closely together or joined during _______.

    • Cenozoic

    • Cretaceous

    • Jurassic

    • Triassic

    Correct Answer
    A. Triassic
    Explanation
    During the Triassic period, the continents of Pangea were still clustered closely together or joined. This is supported by geological evidence, such as the presence of similar rock formations and fossils across different continents. The breakup of Pangea and the subsequent drifting of the continents occurred later in the Mesozoic era, during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Therefore, the correct answer is Triassic.

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  • 37. 

    What evidence is there for the existence of a foreland basin during Jurassic time in western North America?

    • The Sundance Sea formed inland from mountains that rose up during the Acadian orogeny in western North America during the Jurassic Period.

    • The Sundance Sea formed inland from mountains that rose up during the Alleghenian orogeny in western North America during the Triassic Period.

    • The Sundance Sea formed inland from mountains that rose up during the Nevadan orogeny in western North America during the Jurassic Period.

    • The Sundance Sea formed inland from mountains that rose up during the Acadian orogeny in eastern North America during the Jurassic Period.

    Correct Answer
    A. The Sundance Sea formed inland from mountains that rose up during the Nevadan orogeny in western North America during the Jurassic Period.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is that the Sundance Sea formed inland from mountains that rose up during the Nevadan orogeny in western North America during the Jurassic Period. This suggests the existence of a foreland basin during Jurassic time in western North America because the formation of a sea inland from mountains indicates the presence of a basin that was created by the uplift and erosion of the mountains. The Nevadan orogeny is known to have occurred during the Jurassic Period, further supporting the evidence for the existence of a foreland basin during this time.

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  • 38. 

    Characterizes end of Cretaceous.

    • Vast regression

    • Vast transgression

    • Biotic stability

    • Subtropical flora at 70 degree latitude

    Correct Answer
    A. Vast regression
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "vast regression." This means that during the end of the Cretaceous period, there was a significant decrease in sea levels, causing the coastline to move further away from the land. This regression led to the exposure of new land areas and the formation of new sedimentary deposits. This is supported by geological evidence such as the presence of terrestrial fossils in marine sediments and the absence of marine fossils in certain areas.

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  • 39. 

    Reef building organisms during the Mesozoic are called

    • Rudists

    • Ostracodes

    • Ophiuroids

    • Hermatypics

    • Echinoids

    Correct Answer
    A. Rudists
    Explanation
    During the Mesozoic era, reef building organisms were known as rudists. Rudists were a type of bivalve mollusk that formed large, complex reefs in tropical shallow seas. They had a unique shape, with one valve being conical or cylindrical and the other valve being flat or concave. These reefs were important in creating diverse marine ecosystems and providing habitats for many other organisms. However, rudists became extinct at the end of the Mesozoic era, possibly due to environmental changes or competition with other reef builders.

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  • 40. 

    Carbonate microfossil very common in Cretaceous chalks

    • Planktonic foraminifers

    • Radiolarians

    • Barnacles

    • Nautiloids

    • Sutures

    Correct Answer
    A. Planktonic foraminifers
    Explanation
    Planktonic foraminifers are a type of carbonate microfossil that is commonly found in Cretaceous chalks. These microscopic organisms have a shell made of calcium carbonate and are part of the planktonic community, meaning they float in the water column. Their abundance in Cretaceous chalks suggests that they were a significant component of the marine ecosystem during that time period.

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  • 41. 

    Most important macrofossil group for correlation of Mesozoic strata

    • Ammonites

    • Belemnites

    • Crustaceans

    • Foraminifers

    • Conifers

    Correct Answer
    A. Ammonites
    Explanation
    Ammonites are the most important macrofossil group for the correlation of Mesozoic strata. They are extinct marine mollusks that had a wide distribution and rapid evolution during the Mesozoic era. Ammonites had a hard shell that fossilized well, making them useful for determining the relative age of different rock layers. Their abundance, diversity, and rapid evolutionary changes allow geologists to identify and correlate specific ammonite species across different locations, helping to establish a chronological framework for Mesozoic strata. This makes ammonites a key tool for understanding the geological history and timing of events during the Mesozoic era.

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  • 42. 

    Why did stromatolites decline during Cambrian and Ordovician time?

    • The disappearance of banded iron formations about 2 billion years ago made it difficult for them to grow successfully.

    • New salinities and pH formed in sea water, making it difficult to grow successfully.

    • New groups of bacteria grazed on them and burrowed into them, making it difficult for them to grow successfully.

    • New groups of animals grazed on them and burrowed into them, making it difficult for them to grow successfully.

    Correct Answer
    A. New groups of animals grazed on them and burrowed into them, making it difficult for them to grow successfully.
    Explanation
    During the Cambrian and Ordovician time, stromatolites declined because new groups of animals grazed on them and burrowed into them, making it difficult for them to grow successfully. These animals disrupted the structure of the stromatolites and consumed the microbial mats that were essential for their growth. As a result, the stromatolites were unable to thrive and declined in abundance during this period.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Sep 24, 2024 +

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  • Current Version
  • Sep 24, 2024
    Quiz Edited by
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  • May 15, 2010
    Quiz Created by
    Blairnoelledavid

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