Geologic Time Line Web Activity Name: ____________________
Directions: Go to the website:
Period: _____
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/explotime.html
Click on “Understanding the Geologic Time Line”
Click on “Start” for students.
Answer each question on the web-quest.
After each section write a summary sentence or two explaining the main points of the
section. Provide evidence for your statement.
1. Earth has a long, unique history.
2. Earth is billions of years old and a lot has happened.
3. Putting events in order is important.
4. Events can be ordered along a time line.
5. The History of life has an order.
6. Relative time is recorded in rocks.
7. Evidence of the events in Earth’s history is found within rocks.
8. Radiometric dating gives absolute dates.
9. A geologic time scale is an important vertical time line.
Take the quiz on the back when you are finished.
1) Scientific evidence suggests that the Earth is:
a) less than 1 million years old
b) less than 1 billion years old
c) more than 4 billion years old
d) more than 6 billion years old
e) none of the above
(2) Evidence for past events in Earth's ancient history are provided by:
a) rocks and the fossils within them
b) history books
c) time lines
d) the clothes people wore
e) the biodiversity of North America
(3) The Law of Superposition allows us to determine:
a) which rock layers are the oldest
b) the relative age of layers of rocks and the fossils in them
c) the exact or absolute age of rock layers
d) a and b are correct
e) a and c are correct
(4) Radiometric dating allows us to determine:
a) which rock layers are the oldest
b) the relative age of layers of rocks and the fossils in them
c) the exact or absolute age of rock layers
d) a and b are correct
e) a and c are correct
(5) The divisions of time in the Geologic Time Scale represent:
a) the Law of Superposition
b) the results of radiometric dating
c) major changes in biodiversity
d) multiples of 35 million years
e) all of the above