How much do you know about
Paleontology?
JOURNAL # 1
What is a fossil?
(YOUR DEFINITION)
How much do you know about
Paleontology?
Pre-Unit Questions
Answer the following
True/False Questions
We can use carbon dating
to identify the age of a
dinosaur fossil.
0%
0%
1. True
2. False
How much do you know about
Paleontology?
FALSE. Although carbon dating
is used to date formerly living
organisms, dinosaurs are
considered far too old to date using
carbon-14’s shorter half-life.
Many scientists theorize
that dinosaurs were wiped
out many years ago by
some great catastrophe.
0%
1. True
0%
2. False
How much do you know about
Paleontology?
TRUE. Obviously dinosaurs
don’t exist today and they seem
to disappear suddenly from the
fossil record.
Fossils take millions of
years to form.
0%
0%
1. True
2. False
How much do you know about
Paleontology?
TRUE or FALSE?
FALSE. Fossils can form in less
than a year depending on the
conditions.
Through radiometric
dating, we can identify
the age of dinosaur fossils.
0%
0%
1. True
2. False
How much do you know about
Paleontology?
FALSE. Radiometric dating
(except carbon dating) is mostly
performed on igneous rocks.
Fossils form in sedimentary rock.
There are billions of fossils
found all over the earth.
0%
0%
1. True
2. False
How much do you know about
Paleontology?
TRUE. There are many fossils
buried in the rock all over the
planet. Over 99% of them are
small marine plants and animals.
Dinosaurs are “giant
lizarDs.”
0%
0%
1. True
2. False
How much do you know about
Paleontology?
FALSE. Some were large, but
many were not. The term dinosaur,
coined in the 1800’s, does mean
“terrible lizard,” but the average
size of a dinosaur was that of a
large dog.
Geology:
Paleontology
& Geologic
Time
Created in 2008 by Tim F. Rowbotham
Geology
is the study of
the origin,
history, and
structure of the
earth.
Paleontology
is the study of
prehistoric life,
particularly
through fossil
remains.
Fossils
are the remains,
imprints, or
traces of
prehistoric
organisms.
Fossil Formation
Requires shelter
from scavengers,
decay, and
physical
destruction.
Fossil Formation
• Most commonly occurs
through quick burial by
sediment.
• Is more likely to occur with
hard parts such as bone,
shells, and teeth.
Types of
Fossils
Types of Fossils
• Permineralized
remains
• Carbon films
• Molds & Casts
• Original Remains
• Trace Fossils
Permineralized Remains
occur when parts
of the original
remains are
replaced by
minerals flowing
through ground
water.
This process is called petrification.
Permineralized Remains
Fossil turtle shell
Permineralized Remains
Fossil dimetrodon
Permineralized Remains
Petrified wood
Permineralized Remains
Baby protoceratops
Permineralized Remains
Whale fossil
Permineralized Remains
Fossil tyrannosaurus
Carbon Films
occur when
pressure from
layers of sediment
leaves only a thin
carbon residue.
Carbon Films
Beech leaf
Carbon Films
Ancient salamander
Carbon Films
Fossil fish
Molds & Casts
Formation of fossil shell molds
Molds
are hollow areas
left in sediment
that show the
shape of the
original organism.
Molds & Casts
External mold of shell
Molds & Casts
Internal mold of shell
Casts
are copies of the
shape of original
organism that form
from minerals
deposited into the
mold.
Molds & Casts
Cast of trilobite
Molds & Casts
Formation of fossil shell molds
Original Remains
including the soft
parts of the
organism are
sometimes found in
hardened tree
resin, frozen
ground, or tar pits.
Original Remains
Bee encased in amber
Original Remains
Scorpion in amber
Original Remains
Mammoth hair
Trace Fossils
provide evidence
of an organism’s
activity. They
include
footprints, trails,
burrows, and
excrement.
Trace Fossils
Dinosaur tracks
Trace Fossils
Fossil trails of climactichnites
Trace Fossils
Fossil burrows
How much do you know about
Paleontology?
Review Questions
Which type of fossil
is shown to the right?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Cast
Mold
Carbon Film
Permineralized remains
Which type of fossil is
shown to the right?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Permineralized remains
Cast
Mold
Carbon Film
Which type of fossil
is shown to the right?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Original remains
Cast
Mold
Trace Fossil
Which type of fossil is
shown to the right?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Cast
Mold
Carbon Film
Trace Fossil
PALEONTOLOGY
RETURN YOUR REMOTES
HW: Pal Pack: p.13-14 Fossils
Journal #3
List two possible ways that
original remains could be
preserved.
Which type of fossil
is shown to the right?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Original remains
Cast
Mold
Trace Fossil
Which type of fossil
is shown to the right?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Original remains
Cast
Mold
Trace Fossil
Which type of fossil
is shown to the right?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Original remains
Cast
Mold
Trace Fossil
Which type of fossil is
shown to the right?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Original remains
Cast
Mold
Carbon Film
Which type of fossil is
shown to the right?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Permineralized remains
Cast
Mold
Carbon Film
Which type of fossil is
shown to the right?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Permineralized remains
Cast
Mold
Carbon Film
Which type of fossil is
shown to the right?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Permineralized remains
Cast
Mold
Carbon Film
Which type of fossil is
shown to the right?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Cast
Mold
Carbon Film
Original remains
a radioisotope has a half-life of 2000
years. how many atoms would be left
out of 400 if 8000 years had passed?
0%
1. 25
0%
2. 50
0%
3. 100
0%
4. 200
How fossils form
VIDEOS
•
•
•
•
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4jM
2t3NHPA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEDf
Ry6DQns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVw
PLWOo9TE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxD
QwBZj9o8&feature=related
Paleontology
Notes
PAGE 3
Relative Age
is the age of a
rock or fossil
compared to the
ages of other
rocks or fossils.
Catastrophism
is the belief that the
earth’s geological
features were formed
rapidly as a result of
large catastrophes.
Catastrophes
that could cause
rapid geologic
change include
landslides, volcanic
eruptions, floods,
and earthquakes.
Uniformitarianism
is the idea that the
processes
occurring on earth
today are similar to
those that occurred
in the past.
Uniformitarianism
basically says
“The present is
the key to the
past.”
Uniformitarianism
is the idea that
geological
features formed
slowly over long
periods of time.
Catastrophism vs.
Uniformitarianism
Geologic
Features
Age of the
earth
Uniformitarianism
Catastrophism
Form slowly over
time
Form rapidly
due to major
forces & events
Billions of years
Thousands of
years
HOW OLD WOULD MOST GEOLOGISTS SAY THE
EARTH IS?
1. 6000 years
0%
2. 75,000 years
0%
0%
3. 20 million years
0%
4. 4.6 billion years
According to what theory, is the earth
4.6 billion years old?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Catastrophism
Uniformitarianism
Geologism
Agism
Paleontology
Notes
RETURN YOUR REMOTE
Catastrophism or
Uniformitarianism
Where would dinosaurs fit in?
Dragons or Dinosaurs VIDEO CLIP
Asteroid Aftermath – Dinosaur Extinction
The Last Day of Dinosaurs: Discovery Channel
The Tarasque
Man and Dinosaur Walked the Earth Together?
Secret of the Ica Stones Collection
Ancient Incas Knew About Dinosaurs
Jurassic Park – Nedry’s Plan
Catastrophism & a
Young Earth
Where would dinosaurs fit in?
DRAGONS or DINOSAURS VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHeS70PSTMM
(FULL VIDEO 1:24)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeHDCfRzrXk (PART 1 – 9:30)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2-4Gb43xIY (PART 2 – 9:52)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixjni5ogXRQ (PART 3 – 9:45)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta4AMFrzm4Q (PART 4 – 9:50)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbrckY85lQM (PART 5 – 9:38)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhUeye4IGDM (PART 6 – 9:43)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfOh0H9pyGw (PART 7 – 9:44)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khmq6m7gTt8 (PART 8 – 9:34)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q4Cl5IkjdE (PART 9 – 6:55)
Paleontology
Notes
READY YOUR REMOTE
FOR A QUICK REVIEW
HOW OLD WOULD MOST GEOLOGISTS SAY THE
EARTH IS?
1. 6000 years
0%
2. 75,000 years
0%
0%
3. 20 million years
0%
4. 4.6 billion years
According to what theory, is the earth
4.6 billion years old?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Catastrophism
Uniformitarianism
Geologism
Agism
Paleontology
Notes
PAGE 4
Principle of Superposition
as sedimentary
rocks form, they
are deposited on
older rock layers.
Principle of Superposition
in undisturbed
layers, the oldest
is on the bottom
and higher layers
are younger.
Principle of Superposition
Oldest layer is on bottom (1)
Principle of Superposition
The Grand Canyon
Principle of Superposition
The Grand Canyon
Principle of Superposition
Younger Layers of Rock
Older Layers of Rock
The Grand Canyon
Extrusions
are igneous
rocks layers
that form on the
surface when
lava hardens.
Extrusions
are always
younger than
the layers over
which they form.
Extrusion
Kubu Rock – Botswana, Africa
Intrusions
are igneous
rocks that form
when magma
pushes up into
rock layers.
Intrusions
are always
younger than
the rock layers
they invade.
Intrusion
Devil’s Tower, WY
Intrusions & Extrusions
Paleontology
Notes
READY YOUR REMOTE
FOR A QUICK REVIEW
What does the Principle of
Superposition say?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1. Sedimentary rocks form in rivers
2. Igneous rocks form faster than sedimentary
3. New sedimentary rock layers form on top of
older ones
4. There are billions of fossils on Earth
Which layer of
rock is the oldest?
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1
2
3
4
They are all the same age
Journal #3
Draw the following geologic cross-section:
1.) 2 layers of sedimentary rock form.
2.) An extrusion forms on top of the two layers.
3.) A 3rd layer of sedimentary rock forms.
4.) An intrusion cuts through the all the rock
layers, but not to the surface.
5.) A 4th layer of sedimentary rock forms.
Paleontology Notes
RETURN YOUR REMOTE
Complete “Layers of Rock”
on a blank sheet of paper
- Procedure #1 – 3
- Analyze & Conclude #1 – 4
 Trilobite
Paleontology
Notes
Layers of Rock Drawing
(Turn in)
Paleontology
Notes
PAGE 6
Faults
are breaks in the
earth’s crust. A
fault is always
younger than
the rock it cuts
through.
Faults
Faults
Shoshone Fault, CA
Folds
occur when
rock layers are
compressed
together and
bend or curve.
Folds
Guadalajara, Spain
Folds
Mojave Desert, CA
Folds
• South Wales, Australia
What kind of crosscut is shown to the
right?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Intrusion
Extrusion
Fold
Unconformity
Journal #4
Draw the following geologic cross-section:
1.) 2 layers of sedimentary rock form.
2.) The 2 layers of rock are folded.
3.) A 3rd sedimentary layer forms.
4.) A fault cuts through all the layers, shifting some
rock up.
5.) A 4th sedimentary layer forms.
6.) An intrusion cuts all the way to the surface
forming an extrusion.
Unconformities
are gaps in the
rock sequence
(caused by the
erosion of rock
layers).
Angular Unconformity
occur when rock
layers are tilted or
uplifted, and then
worn down by
erosion and
weathering.
Sediments are then deposited
on top of these eroded layers.
Angular Unconformity
Angular Unconformity
Angular Unconformity
Angular Unconformity
Grand Canyon
Angular Unconformity
Siccar Point, Scotland
Angular Unconformity
Combs Quarry, Yorkshire, England
Disconformities
are gaps created
when erosion
occurs on an
overlying rock
layer.
Disconformity
Disconformity
Disconformity
Nonconformity
are formed when
sedimentary rock
overlays igneous
or metamorphic
rocks.
Nonconformity
Nonconformity
Nonconformity
Grand Canyon
Nonconformity
Egypt
Unconformities
Learning Check
Question
READY YOUR REMOTE
What kind of
unconformity is
shown to the right?
0%
1. Fault
0%
2. Disconformity
0%
3. Nonconformity
0%
4. Angular Unconformity
SOME Relative
Dating Practice
Write the correct order of events by
numbering their occurrences.
Include any and all cross-cut
relationships.
Relative Dating Example
Relative Dating
Relative Dating
Relative Dating
Learning Check
Questions
READY YOUR REMOTE
What kind of fossil is
shown to the right?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Permineralized remains
Cast
Trace Fossil
Original Remains
What kind of crosscut is shown to the
right?
0%
1. Intrusion
0%
2. Fault
0%
3. Fold
0%
4. Angular Unconformity
Paleontology Notes
RETURN YOUR REMOTE
HW: Pal Pack p.18
“The Grandest Canyon of All”
Relative Dating
Paleontology
Notes
READY YOUR REMOTE
FOR A QUICK REVIEW
What kind of
cross-cut is shown
to the right?
0%
1. Intrusion
0%
2. Fault
0%
3. Fold
0%
4. Angular Unconformity
What kind of
cross-cut is shown
to the right?
0%
1. Intrusion
0%
2. Fault
0%
3. Fold
0%
4. Angular Unconformity
What kind of
cross-cut is shown
to the right?
0%
1. Intrusion
0%
2. Fault
0%
3. Fold
0%
4. Angular Unconformity
Paleontology
Notes
(PAGE 8)
Correlation
is using rock and
fossil evidence
to match up
dating at different
locations.
Correlation
Index Fossils
are used for
dating the rock
layers in which
they are found.
Index Fossils
are species that
were abundant all
over the earth, but
existed for shorter
periods of time.
Index Fossil
trilobite
Index Fossil
ammonite
Index Fossil
reptaculite
Index Fossil
Correlation using index fossils
Index Fossil
Correlation using index fossils
Index Fossil
Correlation
What is the name of the type of
fossil is used to correlate rock
layers at two or more different
locations?
1. Mold
0%
2. Petrified fossil
0%
3. Index fossil
0%
4. Trace fossil
0%
Using correlation, Which
two layers would you
determine to be of the
same age?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
A&D
A&B
B&D
B&E
Paleontology Notes
Absolute Age
is the age in years
of a rock or other
object (as
determined by
radiometric
dating.
Radiometric Dating
entails finding the
amount of certain
radioactive
elements left in a
rock or object.
Radioactive Decay
is the release of
particles and
energy from the
nuclei of unstable
atoms.
Radioactive Elements
are elements
whose nuclei are
unable to hold
together, and
eject particles
and energy.
The Parent Element
is the element
whose nucleus
radioactively
decays into
another element.
The Daughter Element
is the new
element that is
produced after
the decay of the
parent element.
Half-Life
is the time it
takes for half of
the atoms in a
sample to
decay.
Half-Life
is always the
same. It does
not depend on
the amount of
atoms.
Half-Life
is unaffected by
almost all other
outside factors.
Decay occurs at
a steady rate.
Sample Half-lives
ISOTOPE
HALF-LIFE
PARENT
DAUGHTER
URANIUM 238
LEAD 206
4.5 BILLION YEARS
POTASSIUM 40
ARGON 40
1.3 BILLION YEARS
THORIUM 232
LEAD 208
14.0 BILLION YEARS
CARBON 14
NITROGEN 14
5,730 YEARS
Sample Half-lives
Iodine-129
16,000,000 years
Carbon-14
5730 years
Strontium-90
28 years
Sodium-24
15 hours
Technetium-99
6 hours
Fluorine-18
110 minutes
Oxygen-15
124 seconds
Radiometric Dating
As time passes,
the amount of a
parent isotope in
a rock decreases
as it decays.
It has decayed into the
daughter element.
Radiometric Dating
basically involves
measuring how
much of the
daughter element
has formed.
Age Determination
can then be made
by using the known
half-life to
determine how
much time has
passed.
Age Determination
typically, the
dating can be
estimated only up
to a MAX of 10
half-lives.
Common Types of
Radiometric Dating
Potassium-argon dating
Uranium-lead dating
Rubidium-strontium dating
Radiocarbon dating
Potassium- Argon Dating
Potassium-40 decays to Argon-40.
Potassium-40 has a half-life of
1,300,000,000 years.
(used on igneous & metamorphic rock)
Uranium-Lead Dating
Uranium-235 decays to Lead-207
Half-life: 700,000,000 years
Uranium-238 decays to Lead-204
Half-life: 4,500,000,000 years
(used on igneous & metamorphic rock)
Rubidium-Strontium Dating
Rubidium-87 decays to
Strontium-87
Rubidium has a half-life of
50,000,000,000 years.
(used on igneous & metamorphic rock)
Radiocarbon Dating
Carbon-14 decays to Nitrogen-14.
Carbon dating is used to measure
how long an organism has been
dead.