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.
50%
50%
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 A
dinosaur fossil.
0%
0%
1. True
2. False
How much do you know about
Paleontology?
FALSE. At least NOT DIRECTLY 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
Fossil Activity
and
Timeline
You will work in groups of 3 or 4
(tables) to complete the
activity as described on the
following slides.
Fossil Activity: Part 1
• We will travel to each station and record
the name of each fossil and a sketch or
brief description (you will have 1-2 minutes
at each station so don’t waste any time).
Once you have traveled to all of the
stations you will return to your original
table and put the fossils in order from
oldest to most recent. (Remember this is
just a “guess” you and your group should
agree on the order).
Fossil Activity: Part 2
• You should be back at your table and ready to
start researching your fossil. Please research
and answer the following questions concerning
your fossil.
1. What time period in geologic history did your
organism live in and how long did that period last?
Example: Eocene time period from 34 to 65 MYA
2. When did the organism first appear on Earth?
3. Is the organism extinct or does it still exist today? If it
is extinct what are its closest living relatives?
4. What environment did the organism inhabit?
5. What other organisms lived during this time period
(at least 4).
Fossil Activity: Part 3
• Create a brief presentation of your
organism including the important
information you collected during your
research (all but #5). Be prepared to
present the information to the class.
Archaeopteryx
Triceratops
Trilobite
Ammonite
Flowering tree
Protozoa
Green Algae
Shark
Fossil Activity: Part 3
• Once all of the groups have completed
presenting go back and fix any of the
mistakes you may have made in ordering
the organisms.
• Describe any patterns you see in the list
(fossil record). How do the organisms
change throughout history? Where do you
think animals such as birds would go on
your list? Justify your answer!
Fossils Reading
Passage
GET YOUR REMOTES WHEN
YOUR GROUP FINISHES
THE HANDOUT
READY YOUR REMOTES
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%
1.
0% 2.
0% 3.
0% 4.
Permineralized remains
Cast
Mold
Carbon Film
Dinosaur National Monument
Paleontology
Notes
Day 2
Relative Age
is the “age” of a
rock or strata
compared to the
ages of other
rocks or strata.
Relative Age
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
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.
Uniformitarianism
claims the Earth is
4.6 billion years
old.
What does the Principle of
Superposition say?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sedimentary rocks form in rivers
Igneous rocks form faster than sedimentary
New rock layers form on top of older ones
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
HOW OLD WOULD MOST GEOLOGISTS SAY THE
EARTH IS?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
6000 years
75,000 years
20 million years
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
Flashback
Principles of
Geology
Paleontology
Notes
PAGE 4-5
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
Intrusion
Devil’s Tower, WY
In the image below identify as many
intrusions and extrusions as you can!
Stop and Summarize
Journal #3 - 1
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.
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
Stop and Summarize
Journal #3 - 2
Draw the following geologic cross-section:
1.) 2 layers of sedimentary rock form and a fold
occurs causing the layers to bend and curve
3.) A 3rd sedimentary layer forms.
4.) A fault cuts through all the layers
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
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
Egypt
Unconformities
Stop and Summarize
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
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
Correlation using index fossils
Index Fossil
Correlation using index fossils
What kind of crosscut is shown to the
right?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Intrusion
Extrusion
Folds
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
3. Fold
0%
4. Angular Unconformity
0%
What is the name of the type of
fossil is used to correlate rock
layers at two or more different
locations?
0%
1. Mold
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
RETURN YOUR REMOTE
 Finding Clues to Rock Layers
HW: (Pal Pack)
 p.18 “The Grandest Canyon of All”
 p.19 “Relative Order of Geologic
Events”
 p. 20 “Geologic Puzzles”
Paleontology Notes
READY YOUR REMOTE
FOR A QUICK REVIEW
What type of
cross-cut appears
at location e?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Fault
Fold
Nonconformity
Angular Unconformity
What type of crosscut appears in the
picture?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Fault
Disconformity
Nonconformity
Angular Unconformity
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 Dating Game
INSTRUCTIONS
RETURN YOUR REMOTE
PICK UP
 Radioactive Dating Game WS
TURN IN
 Finding Clues to Rock Layers
Journal
TURN TO YOUR JOURNAL PAGE
Journal #5
Draw a geologic cross-section with the following:
1.) At least 5 sedimentary rock layers
2.) At least 3 cross-cuts
(faults, folds, intrusions,
extrusions, or unconformities)
Write a geologic history that explains the
order of occurrence of each event.
Paleontology Notes
READY YOUR REMOTE FOR A
QUICK REVIEW
Which of the
following is
oldest?
0%
1.
0% 2.
0% 3.
0% 4.
Sandstone B
Sandstone A
Earthquake fault
Igneous Dike B
What type of
cross-cut appears
at location e?
1. Fault
0%
2. Fold
0%
3. Nonconformity
0%
4. Angular Unconformity
0%
What type of crosscut appears in the
picture?
1. Fault
0%
0%
2. Disconformity
0%
3. Nonconformity
0%
4. Angular Unconformity
Paleontology
TURN TO PAGE 9
OF YOUR
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-206
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.
USED ON FORMERLY LIVING ORGANISMS
Paleontology Notes
1.) Return your Remote
2.) Complete “Radioactive Dating” WS
3.) Complete PACKET
Radioactive Dating WS
Radioactive Dating Game
INSTRUCTIONS
Paleontology Notes
Turn to page 12
Radiocarbon Dating
Carbon-14 decays to Nitrogen-14.
Carbon dating is used to measure
how long an organism has been
dead.
USED ON FORMERLY LIVING ORGANISMS
Radiocarbon Dating
Since nitrogen is a gas, no
daughter element is left to
measure.
Carbon dating is done by
comparing how much
radioactive carbon (C-14)
is left in the organism
compared to stable
carbon (C-12)
How Carbon-14 Is Produced
Cosmic Rays
(radiation)
Forms C-14
Collision with
atmosphere (N-14)
C-14 combines with
oxygen to form carbon
dioxide (CO2)
www.icr.org
When Does the Clock Start?
Once a plant or animal dies the
clock starts
Organism
dies
C-14 continues
to decay
No more
C-14 intake
www.icr.org
Radiocarbon Dating
The present ratio is 100 C-14
atom per 100 trillion C-12
atoms. (Scientists must
assume that this was also
the ratio when the
organism died)
After the organism dies, C-14
decays, but the C-12 is left
unchanged.
Determining the Starting Amount
• There are two types of carbon used in the dating
process: C-12 and C-14
• C-12 is a stable isotope (it does not decay)
• When an organism is alive it has the same ratio
(C-12 to C-14) that is found in the atmosphere
(1-trillion to 1)
I’m alive
I’m a
fossil
Same ratio
www.icr.org
Different ratio
Radiocarbon Dating
C-14
No measurable
C-14
C-14
C-12
C-12
C-12
Amount
constant
Amount
constant
Amount
constant
Moment of
death
OLD
TOO OLD
TO DATE
Radiocarbon Dating
After 1 half-life (5,730 years)
there are only 50 C-14 atoms
per 100 trillion C-12 atoms.
After 2 half-lives (11,460 years)
there are only 25 C-14
atoms, etc.
This ratio can then be
measured to determine the
age of the dead organism.
How the C-12 / C-14 Ratio Works
Amount of
stable C-12
Amount of
unstable C-14
Ratio
100 Trillion
100
1-T to 1
0
0
100 Trillion
50
2-T to 1
5,730
1
100 Trillion
25
4-T to 1
11,460
2
100 Trillion
12.5
8-T to 1
17,190
3
100 Trillion
6
16-T to 1
22,920
4
100 Trillion
3
32-T to 1
28,650
5
Years
Dead
# Half-lives
“The important thing is to never
stop questioning.”
- Albert Einstein
Radiometric Dating Assumptions –
What do we need to determine age?
1)
2)
3)
4)
Current amount of parent
Decay Rate (Half-Life)
Starting amount of parent
None of the parent or
daughter has been gained
or lost (contamination or
leeching)
Radiometric Dating Assumptions –
What we DO know?
1) Current amount of parent/daughter
YES, this can be measured,
though it can be a very tiny amount
2) Decay rate
YES, we are fairly confident that
the half-life is constant.
3) Starting amount of parent/daughter
NO, we MUST MAKE AN
ASSUMPTION!?!?
4) None of the parent or daughter has
been gained or lost
NOT SURE, Geologists try to
pick samples that do not show
signs of leeching or
contamination.
What is the only type of radiometric dating that can
be used on formerly living organisms?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
Uranium-lead dating
Potassium-argon dating
Rubidium-strontium dating
Carbon Dating
What is the oldest fossil carbon dating can be
accurately used to measure?
0%
0%
0%
0%
1.
2.
3.
4.
5,730 years
57,300 years
200 million years
4.5 billion years
Paleontology Notes
1.) Complete “Radioactive Dating” WS
2.) Return your Remote
3.) Complete The Radioactive Dating
Game Activity WS
Paleontology Notes
1.) Return your Remote
2.) Complete “Radiometric Dating
Practice”
3.) Complete “Clues to the Earth’s Past”
Paleontology
TEST WEDNESDAY
How much do you know about
Paleontology?
Pre-Unit Questions
(Post-Unit)
Answer the following
True/False Questions
How much do you know about
Paleontology?
Pre-Unit Questions
(Post-Unit)
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%
0%
1. True
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.
HOWEVER, estimates are made
based on radiometric dating of
igneous intrusions & extrusions
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.
JOURNAL # 6
Describe & discuss at
least three new facts
that you learned about
paleontology while
studying this unit.
RETURN YOUR REMOTE
Classwork Assignments
1.) Journal # 6
2.) Relative Dating Geologic CrossSections WS
3.) Paleontology Test Review
OTHER INTERESTING RESEARCH
CARBON DATING DINOSAUR
FOSSILS
Truth About Dinosaur Tissue
Useful Time Ranges of Radiometric
Dating
Partner Assignment
1.) Draw a geologic Cross-Section
on a blank piece of paper
2.) Include at least 5 sedimentary
layers & 3 cross-cuts (intrusions,
extrusions, faults, folds, or
unconformities)
3.) Swap with a friend & have
him/her number the events
Paleontology
Notes
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HW: Pal Pack
Paleontology
Notes
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FOR A QUICK REVIEW