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Layers of Time

Last updated over 7 years ago
8 questions
Note from the author:
Using the Layers of Time mini-game (https://www.amnh.org/ology/features/layersoftime/) students will organize different fossil layers, using them to find patterns and cement their understanding of the law of superposition.

Did you know that the history of life on Earth is told through rocks?


Over millions of years, sediments such as sand and silt were laid down and compressed to form sedimentary rock layers. They preserve a record of ancient landscapes, climates, and organisms. Scientists often determine the correct sequence of sedimentary rock layers using the fossils found within them. They compare the fossils to figure out if two layers are from the same geologic time period, or if one layer is older than the other.

You will use a simulation to help you reinforce this concept. Open the sim in a NEW window. You will be taking screenshots of your work and uploading them here.
1

Complete Level 1. Once you have the correct solution, take a screenshot and upload your work to this formative.

1

Organize these organisms in the order in which they appeared, from younguest (top) to oldest (bottom). (Hover over each fossil type to look at the names)

  1. trilobite
  2. birds
  3. dicynodont
  4. dyrosaurs
  5. pterosaur
1

Complete Level 2. Once you have the correct solution, take a screenshot and upload your work to this formative.

1

Which organism became extinct right before the appearance of flowering plants?

1

Complete Level 3. Once you have the correct solution, take a screenshot and upload your work to this formative.

1

Which two organisms lived only for a relatively short period of geologic time?

1

According to the solution you found above, which organism disappeared from the fossil record right before the appearance of homo sapiens

1

According to the solution you found above, could Tarbosaurus have hunted Seismosaurus? Explain your answer using evidence from the organization of layers. Your answer must use the ACE strategy, thus it has to be at least three sentences long.