3/28 - Rock Detectives

Last updated 9 months ago
20 questions
Answers should be in complete sentences.

Make sure you are using the correct worksheet for each question. Each answer is located somewhere in the packet. You just need to look for the clues!
USE THE PAGES LABELED 'A' FOR THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
1

Which of the following habitats was layer 1 apart of when it was laid down?

1

The scallop-like fossil in layers 2-5 is found in sediment all over the world. It’s abundant everywhere it’s found, but it always suddenly “drops out of the picture” after a certain point. What might have happened to the animal this fossil represents? Be specific - don't just put that it "went extinct".

1

The rock in layers 6, 8, and 10 formed when sediment that had settled in the mouth of a river (or some other body of water) gradually was buried, pressed together, and cemented into rock.

1

In which layer would you expect to find more coal?

1

Explain your answer for #4. (You might need to look up how coal is formed).

1

What might be one reason that the sea plant in layers 2-5 gradually evolved spines?

1

Look at layer 4 and compare the number of clockwise fossil snail shells to the number of counterclockwise fossil shells. Based on your observations, what can you say about the climate of the area when layer 4 was laid down?

1

Layers 6, 8, and 10 probably were located near a volcano or some other area where magma was rising.

1

Look at the tracks in layer 9. If you were told that the tracks showed that the larger animal captured and ate the smaller one, would you believe it? Why or why not?

1

Based on the fact that the bone in layer 11 belonged to a dinosaur and that gamlonia trees were present at this time, which of the following statements is most accurate?

1

The fossil jawbone in layer 12 represents an animal whose remains are known from only one other location. This other location is thousands of miles away, on another continent. How would you explain how the fossils came to be located so far from each other? (Hint: Keep in mind that the world hasn’t always looked as it does today!)

1

Do you think the animal whose fossil jaw is in layer 11 was a plant eater, meat eater or both?

1

When layer 7 was forming, was the area a desert, ocean, swamp, tundra, or prairie?

USE THE PAGE LABELED 'B' FOR THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
1

In North America, what “fossils clues” in layers A and B indicate the kind of environment that existed when these rock layers were formed? How did the environment change in layer D?

1

In North America, which layer is the oldest? How do you know?

1

For North American layers C and E, why are fossils not present?

1

When comparing Europe to North America, which North American layer likely formed at the same time as European layer W? Give an explanation for your answer.

1

At the European location, what clues show an unconformity or gap in the horizontal rock layers? Which rock layers are missing? What might have happened to these rock layers?

1

At the Europe site, which is older, intrusion V or layer Y? How can you tell?

1

Drag the correct answer into the boxes.

  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z
  • V
  • nothing
  • What matches A?
  • What matches B?
  • What matches C?
  • What matches D?
  • What matches E?
  • What matches F?
  • What matches G?