TOPIC 5 OBJECTIVES: EARTH'S HISTORY

1. Given a diagram of sedimentary rocks, sequence the layers according to their relative age using the Law of Superposition. 

2. Using the Law of Cross-Cutting Relationships, determine the relative age of igneous intrusions, faults, and folds found in rock layers. 

3. Identify four ways by which rocks in one area can be matched, or correlated, with rocks in another area.

4 a. Define fossil. 

b. Identify and describe some ways in which fossils are preserved.

5. Explain the three characteristics of index fossils and/or key beds, which make them useful in interpreting Earth's history.

6. Given a list of geologic eras and periods in the Earth Science Reference Tables (ESRT), match the era and/or period with the predominant life forms that existed at that time. 

7. Given the ESRT, analyze the relationship between mountain building events and the inferred positions of Earth's landmasses throughout geologic history.

8. Given a list of geologic events and their approximate ages, construct a time line of geologic history.

9 a. Explain the existence of unconformities in rock layers.

b. Using the ESRT, recognize the existence of unconformities in the geologic history of New York State.

10. Explain the Principle of Uniformitarianism.

11. Describe why radioactive substances are useful for determining the age of rocks or other material.

12 a. Define the term half-life.

b. Given a half-life graph and given the amount of radioactive material unchanged, determine the age of the material. 

13. Given the ESRT, select the best radioactive element to use to determine the age of a sample depending on the age and composition of the sample. 

14. Describe how the dominant forms of plant and animal life have changed throughout the Eras of geologic history.

15. Using the ESRT, identify the geologic period when life forms have become extinct in the geologic past.

16. Given fossils found in New York State, infer the climate, environment, and inferred location of New York State at the time that the fossils were living.

17. Compare human's existence to the overall length of geologic time.