16 Questions
What is the Geologic Time Scale used for?
To identify and describe crucial episodes in life's history
Who published the first laws of stratigraphy in 1669?
Nicolas Steno
What has helped scientists comprehend the full expanse of time?
Looking at the layers beneath our feet
What do geologists study to interpret the history of life on Earth?
Layers of rock
What did Danish scientist Nicolas Steno contribute to science?
Publication of laws of stratigraphy
What has been difficult for humans to comprehend about the history of life on Earth?
Full expanse of time
Who argued that the layers closer to the surface must be younger than the layers below them?
Steno
Who named the lowest layers of metamorphic and volcanic rocks as the Primary layer?
Giovanni Arduino
What did William Smith use to match the ages of rock formations from different locations?
Fossils
What was William Smith's solution to the problem of comparing rock layers from one location to another?
Fossils
Who studied the Italian Alps and organized their layers based on their depth and composition?
Giovanni Arduino
What did Steno argue about the age of fossils based on their depth in the rock layers?
The deeper the fossils, the older they are
In what order did Giovanni Arduino name the layers of rock in the Italian Alps?
Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Quaternary
What was Steno's revolutionary idea in relation to the age of rock layers and fossils?
Closer layers to surface are younger than those below
What did William Smith use to create a universal time scale for comparing rock formations?
Fossils
How did William Smith match ages of rock formations from different locations?
By comparing their fossils
Explore the incredible span of life's history on Earth, spanning over billions of years, and contemplate the vast stretches of time that have shaped the planet. Gain an appreciation for the complexity and diversity of life through the ages.
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