Geologic History Unit Review
Right There and Right There Repeaters: All info is found in your notes, labs, text readings.
Repeaters will ask for more than 1 requested piece of info.
1. 10 principles of science
2. Scientific method
3. Physics article- peer review
4. Earth systems and interactions of the spheres
5. Catastrophism vs. uniformitarianism(Hutton, plutonists, neptunists, Lyell)
6. Relative DatingPrinciples of Historical Geology
Original horizontality
Super position
Inclusions
Cross-cutting relationships
Law of floral/faunal successions
Unconformity
Angular unconformity
Disconformity
Non-conformity
Embedded fragments
Index fossils
Keybed
Stratiographic matching
7. Absolute Dating:
Methods of decay, varves, tree rings, isotopes, half-lifes,
Different methods of dating and when each one is appropriate
8. Geologic timescale: ( eon, era, period, epoch) Characteristic events occurring during each
Era/period
9. Formation of FossilsOriginal remains
Replaced remains
Molds
Casts
Trace fossils
Carbonaceous films
Index fossils
10. Recognize examples of prominent fossils from specific era/periods.
11. Extinctions- examples of 5 worst
Theories for K-T extinction- evidence for and against
12. Dinosaurs-general traits and characteristics
Smash and Stash: The question requires you to gather information from a variety of topics or
places in your notes/text and do something with it.
1. Compare and/or contrast terms from the unit
Example:
Precambrian Eon vs. Phenerozoic Eon
Mold vs. cast
Catastrophism vs. Uniformitarianism
Index fossil vs. trace fossil
Velociraptor vs. Allosaurus
2. Matching Question: Match certain events/fossils with the right Era or Period
3. Calculating the age of a sample using knowledge of decay rates and isotopes
4. Interpreting rock strata to determine age using relative dating principles.
Brain Drain: You will not find the answer in your notes, you must generate your answer using
your background knowledge of the topic.
1. Consider topics like extinction theories, interaction of the 4 spheres, evolution and natural
selection….
2. Related Newspaper article
Website Articles: Trouble in the world of physics, Scientists Use Tree Rings, Cold War Clues,
Our Hair Tracks our Wanderings, Mammoth Skeleton found nearly intact,T-Rex Analysis
Supports Dino-Bird Link, Dinosaurs killed by Indian Volcanoes, Unique fish fossil in Northern
Alberta, Oldest Hominid Skeleton Found, Dinosaur group fossils rare find, Study offers insight
into the colours of dinosaurs, Dinos trampled to death by own kind, Alberta scientist hail newly
found pint-sized meat-eating dinosaur, Why did so many dinosaurs die here, Last Meal Found,
Russian Meteor.
Text pg. 692-693 practice test
Chapter 29 review pg. 662-663
Chapter 30 review pg. 688-689