Earth's History - Unit IV Quiz

Study Notes

Principle of uniformitarianism posits that present-day geological processes are key to understanding Earth's history, contrasting with catastrophism which attributes geological changes to sudden, catastrophic events.
Numerical dating assigns specific ages to rocks using measurable data, while relative dating establishes a sequence of events without exact dates based on artifact and layer placement.

A fossil is the preserved remains or trace of ancient organisms, providing insights into Earth's biological past.
Conditions that favor fossil preservation include rapid burial, anoxic environments, and the presence of hard body parts such as bones or shells.
Various fossil types include body fossils, trace fossils, and mold and cast fossils.

The geologic time scale consists of divisions such as eons, eras, periods, and epochs, reflecting major events in Earth's history.
The time scale is a dynamic tool, subject to revisions as new information and techniques develop.

Three types of radioactive decay include alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma decay, utilized in determining the age of materials.
Radioactive isotopes serve as effective "clocks" for dating geological events by measuring the decay rates.

James Hutton is regarded as the father of modern geology, recognizing the extensive nature of Earth’s history in the 18th century.
Geologists in the 19th century showcased extensive geological processes such as mountain-building and erosion, reinforcing the concept of Earth's vast timeline.
The combination of relative dating and the advancement of radiometric dating techniques has improved the accuracy of dating geological events, allowing scientists to assign ages to formations and fossil layers.