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Earth Science: Earth and Its Records

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100% found this document useful (1 vote)
3K views26 pages

Earth Science: Earth and Its Records

Uploaded by

Lynette Licsi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Senior High School

Earth Science
Module 13
Earth and Its Records

AIRs - LM
LU_Earth Science_Module13
STEM - EARTH SCIENCE
Quarter 2 - Module 13: Earth and Its Records
Second Edition, 2021

Copyright © 2021
La Union Schools Division
Region I

All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form without written
permission from the copyright owners.
Development Team of the Module

Author: Arlance Sandra Marie M. Garcia


Editor: SDO La Union, Learning Resource Quality Assurance Team
Content Reviewer: Lani Gatchalian
Language Reviewer: Agnes Bucsit
Illustrator: Ernesto F. Ramos, Jr., P II
Design and Layout: Cristita C. Ferrer

Management Team:

Atty. Donato D. Balderas Jr.


Schools Division Superintendent
Vivian Luz S. Pagatpatan, PhD
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
German E. Flora, PhD, CID Chief
Virgilio C. Boado, PhD, EPS in Charge of LRMS
Rominel S. Sobremonte, EdD, EPS in Charge of Science
Michael Jason D. Morales, PDO II
Claire P. Toluyen, Librarian II

Printed in the Philippines by: _________________________

Department of Education – SDO La Union


Office Address: Flores St. Catbangen, San Fernando City, La Union
Telefax: 072 – 205 – 0046
Email Address: [email protected]
Senior High School

Earth Science
Module 13
Earth and Its Records
Introductory Message

This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear


learners, can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities,
questions, directions, exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you
to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you
step-by-step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in


each SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this
module or if you need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for
better understanding of the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to
answer the post-test to self-check your learning. Answer keys are provided
for each activity and test. We trust that you will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are
also provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on
how they can best help you on your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on
any part of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the
exercises and tests. And read the instructions carefully before performing
each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in


answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher
or facilitator.

Thank you.
Target

It is theorized that the true age of the earth is about 4.6 billion years old,
and that it was formed around the same time as the rest of the solar system.
Geologists and/or scientists employ dating methods in order to find evidences of
the past Earth has gone through as well as to determine the age of rocks found on
the different layers formed in the Earth. The oldest rocks geologists have been able
to find are 3.9 billion years old.
In the previous lesson you were able to know more about the formation of
rock layers. Additionally, you were also able to discover more about relative and
absolute dating. In this module will be given information and activities to
understand more about the history of Earth as well as the determination of the
geologic timescale.
In this module, you will be given various information and activities about the
Earth and its records.

Most Essential Learning Competencies


After going through this module, you are expected to:
A. explain how relative and absolute dating were used to determine the
subdivisions of geologic time (S11ES-IIi-37); and
B. describe how index fossils (also known as guide fossils) are used to define
and identify subdivisions of the geologic time scale (S11ES-II-j-38).

Learning Objectives
At the end of the module, you are expected to:
A. compare and contrast relative and absolute dating;
B. discuss the importance of dating methods to the Geologic Time Scale;
C. identify the different types of fossils;
D. explain how these fossils are formed; and
E. discuss how fossils are used in relation to the geologic time scale.

4 LU_Earth Science_Module13
Jumpstart

Activity 1: Pre-test
Direction: Write the CAPITAL letter of the correct answer on a separate paper.

1. What is used for absolute dating?


A. sediments B. uses light energy
C. radioactive elements D. sequence of sedimentary rocks
2. Which principle states that the layer that cuts another is younger than the layer
it cuts through?
A. Law of Cross-cutting Relationships B. Law of Original Horizontality
C. Law of Superposition D. Law of Unconformities
3. Which is an example of a parent isotope?
A. argon B. lead C. strontium D. uranium
4. Relative dating is used in determining whether an object is older or younger. All
of the following statements are reasons why sedimentary rocks are useful in this
kind of dating, EXCEPT one. Which one is it?
A. sedimentary rock layers are nearly flat.
B. They come from different rock type fragments.
C. Fossils can be found in the sedimentary layer of rocks.
D. They are formed from fragments of a single type of rock.
5. Following the Law of Superposition, where are the NEWEST fossils found?
A. adjacent the bottom of the rock layers B. in the middle of the rock surface
C. nearly at the surface D. on top of the rock layers
6. Which principle mentions that the existing rock when eroded can NO longer be
eroded?
A. cross-cutting relations B. horizontally
C. superpositions D. uniformities
7. Which type of dating method implements the Law of Superposition?
A. absolute dating B. radiometric dating
C. relative dating D. radioactive dating
8. What is referred to as the length of time it takes for half of a radioactive isotope
to decay into a stable element?
A. absolute age B. half – life
C. process D. relative age
9. In which period was the first evidences of life on Earth found?
A. Cambrian B. Devonian
C. Ordovician D. Silurian

5 LU_Earth Science_Module13
*For numbers 10 to 15: Using the picture below, determine the age of the layers
by arranging the layers from the YOUNGEST to the OLDEST. Write your answer on
the box below.

Figure 1. Rock Layers


Source: https://studylib.net/doc/5814119/unconformities

Activity 2: Word Hunt


Direction: Search for the given words below. Encircle the items you find. Write your
answers on a separate paper.

H O S Z K J X S C F R E E B W S F C U I
M D I N O S A U R A G X R V K I M X F V
C E N O Z O I C O A Y Q A L A B O I S S
G O G M V A B S E F D B A W E D S U H U
X X E X T I N C T I O N I B O F T A U S
E G I C D I I T V Y P Z P P C C R T Y Z
A Q R Q A R Q I G K F L S P E Y C R Q U
Q R P G L W L C Q Y G S S R B R N G T D
G C M A J X I X Q A B O E F B Y I T O U
R A Y C L O O N Z M H O N V I Q E O S E
H Y R D Z E M A H O M O S A P I E N D Y
P I Y O X W O A T O E L X N C I I U I I
Q B S V K D G Z H R K K P M O F A F G U
Y E E Q D P W F O S S I L S I T R Y F H
M D K O P A L X T I D G G I R G S V I J
X X U A M K M E U Q C V A W T B D Z H H
S Y G X W A I W E V O L U T I O N X G J
L K L U P R E C A M B R I A N S J G F K
E V S B X F N L R L C U J U R A S S I C
O H F A E U T G I X F Y H A O O S R D L
CENOZOIC DINOSAUR EON
ERA EVOLUTION EXTINCTION
FOSSILS HOMOERECTUS HOMOSAPIEN
ICEAGE JURASSIC MESOZOIC
PALEOZOIC PERIOD PRECAMBRIAN

6 LU_Earth Science_Module13
Lesson

1 Earth and Its Timeline

Discover

What is the Geologic Time Scale?


Geologic Time Scale (GTS) is a systematic and chronological organization
of time related to the history of the Earth and universe used by geologists,
paleontologists and other scientists to describe the timing and relationship between
events that occurred during the long history of the Earth. It depicts the timing and
relationships between events that have occurred during the history of the Earth
(and the universe).
Geologic time is a general reference to long time span that predates human
records. The Earth has a very long history about 4.6 billion years as based from
the radioactive isotopic dating of meteorites. Scientists have distributed the 4.6
billion years of Earth’s rich history into different time areas to appropriately
indicate the major events that occurred geologically or paleontologically. A lot of
attempts were made to form a Geologic Time Scale that can be used anywhere on
Earth. Through the detailed studies of rocks and fossils conducted by scientists,
the order of geologic periods we use now exist. Scientists divided the history of
Earth into a chain of time intervals. These time intervals are unequal in terms of
numbers of days or hours and vary in length. The division of Geologic Time is
based on the significant events on Earth. The layers on the surface of the Earth,
from the recent origin down to the most ancient, made possible to split Geological
Time into Eons, Eras and Periods.

 Eon (half a billion years or more)


 Era (several hundred million years)
 Period (tens of millions of years)
 Epoch (tens of millions of years)
 Age (millions of years)

The summary of the Geologic Time Scale with the significant events in the
history of the Earth added is shown on the next page.

7 LU_Earth Science_Module13
Figure 2. The Geologic Time Scale
Source: https://empoweryourknowledgeandhappytrivia.wordpress.com/2015/03/18/geologic-time-scale/

8 LU_Earth Science_Module13
Lesson

2 Rocks and the Geologic Time Scale

Discover

The geologic time scale (Figure 2), is based on the rock record. It is
subdivided into hierarchal intervals, the largest being eon, followed by era, period,
and epoch, respectively. The subdivision of geologic time is based on the significant
events in the Earth’s history as interpreted from the rock record.
Human history can largely be found in written documents as well as oral
narrations and other artifacts of man passed through time. Similarly, the history of
the Earth is well documented in the sequence of layers upon layers of rock that has
been accumulated, weathered down and eroded over time.
Rock Record refers to the position or sequence of rock layers. Rocks have
been forming and wearing away since our planet began to form, during what we
know now as the rock cycle, creating sediment that accumulates in layers of rock
called strata. The way these strata are arranged and what fossils are in them give
scientists clues about what Earth was like billions of years ago.
Nicholas Steno was one of the earliest to recognize the relationship between
rocks and time. Steno’s principles, namely superposition, original horizontality, and
lateral continuity, became the foundation of stratigraphy which is the study of
layered rocks. In order to establish the correct succession of rocks, relative dating
techniques were used.
Abraham Gotlobb Werner is considered to be the father of German
Geology. He divided the rock record into the following rock-time units (from oldest to
youngest): primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary by relying extensively on the
Principle of Superposition to establish temporal relationship among the rock units.
Unlike relative dating methods, Absolute Dating Methods provide
chronological approximations of the age of definite geological materials associated
with fossils, and may even identify the direct age measurements of the fossil
material itself. Geologists ordinarily use radiometric dating methods, based on the
natural radioactive decay of specific elements such as potassium and carbon, as
dependable clocks to date ancient events. Geologists also use other methods - such
as electron spin resonance and thermoluminescence, which evaluate the effects of
radioactivity on the accretion of electrons in imperfections, or "traps," in the crystal
structure of a mineral in order to determine the age of the rocks or fossils.

9 LU_Earth Science_Module13
Radiometric Dating Methods

1. Potassium-Argon Dating is used to identify the age of igneous volcanic


rocks which are 100,000 years to billions of years old.
2. Uranium-Lead Dating is based on gauging the quantity of the lead-206
daughter isotope in a sample. It can be used to date igneous rocks that are between
100 million years and a few billion years old.
3. Rubidium-Strontium dating is used use by scientist to identify the age of
rocks and minerals from the amounts they contain of specific isotopes of rubidium
(87Rb) and strontium (87Sr ,86Sr).it can identify rocks which are older than 10 million
years.
4. Radiocarbon Dating is a method used for dating wood, bones, shells, and
other organic remains.
All living things have a constant ratio of radioactive carbon14 to carbon-12.
Once a plant or an animal dies, no more carbon is taken in. The ratio between the
isotope’s changes because carbon-14 undergoes radioactive decay.
The half-life of carbon-14 is 5,730 years. The number of half-lives of carbon-
14 that have passed gives the absolute age. Radiocarbon dating can be used to
date organic matter only. This method is used to date things that lived in the last
45,000 years.

Half-life Common Isotopes


Parent isotope Half-life Stable daughter
Uranium-235 704 million years Lead-207
Potassium-40 1.25 billion years Argon-40
Uranium-238 4.5 billion years Lead-206
Thorium-232 14.0 billion years Lead-208
Lutetium-176 35.9 billion years Hafnim-176
Rubidium-87 48.8 billion years Strontium-87
Samarium-147 106 billion years Neodymium-143

“Employing both the relative dating methods and absolute dating


methods, scientists have been able to come up with the more expansive
Geologic Time Scale we have now.”

10 LU_Earth Science_Module13
Lesson

3 Fossil Records of Earth’s Past

Discover

Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals, plants, and other
organisms from the past. Fossils are important evidence for evolution because they
show that life on earth was once different from life found on earth today. Usually
only a portion of an organism is preserved as a fossil, such as body fossils (bones
and exoskeletons), trace fossils (feces and footprints), and chemofossils (biochemical
signals). Paleontologists can define the age of fossils using methods like
radiometric dating and classify them to conclude the evolutionary relationships
between organisms. Fossils range in age from 10,000 to 3.48 billion years old. The
observation that confident fossils were connected with certain rock strata directed
19th century geologists to distinguish a geological timescale. Like existing
organisms, fossils differ in size from microscopic, like single-celled bacteria, to
gigantic, like dinosaurs and trees.

3.1 Fossil Formation


Fossilization is the processes that turn plant or animal remains eventually
to stone.

1. Unaltered preservation - Small organism or part of it is trapped in amber or


hardened plant sap.
2. Permineralization/ Petrification - The organic contents of bone and wood
are replaced with silica, calcite or pyrite, forming a rock-like fossil.
3. Replacement – The hard parts of flora or fauna are dissolved and replaced
by other minerals, like calcite, silica, pyrite, or iron.
4. Carbonization or Coalification - The other elements of an organism are
removed and only the carbon remained.
5. Recrystalization - Hard parts of the organism are converted to more stable
minerals or small crystals turn into larger crystals.
6. Authigenic preservation - Molds and casts are formed after most of the
organism have been destroyed or dissolved

3.2 The Fossil Record


The totality of fossils, both discovered and undiscovered, and their location
in fossiliferous (fossil-containing) rock materializations and sedimentary layers
(strata) is identified as the fossil record. The fossil record was one of the primary
sources of data underlying the study of evolution and remains to be pertinent to the
history of life on Earth. The advance of radiometric dating techniques in the early
20th century enabled geologists to determine the numerical or “absolute” age of
innumerable strata and their included fossils.

11 LU_Earth Science_Module13
3.3 Conditions for Fossilization
Subsequent to the death of an organism, a number of forces add to the
dissolution of its remains. Decay, predators, or scavengers will naturally speedily
remove the flesh. The hard parts, if they are detachable at all, can be detached by
predators, scavengers, or currents. The individual hard parts are exposed to
chemical weathering and erosion, as well as to breakage by predators or scavengers,
which will crunch up bones for marrow and shells to remove the flesh inside. Also,
an animal ingested whole by a predator, such as a rat swallowed by a snake, will
have not just its flesh but some, and perhaps most of its bones dissolved by the
gastric juices of the predator.
More often than not, the typical vertebrate fossil involves just a single bone,
or tooth, or fish scale. The preservation of an intact skeleton with the bones in the
relative positions they had in life necessitates extraordinary circumstances, such as
burial in volcanic ash; burial in aeolian sand due to the sudden slumping of a sand
dune; burial in a mudslide; burial by a turbidity current, and such similar events.
The mineralization of soft parts is even rarer and is seen only in outstandingly
rare chemical and biological situations.

Gaps in the Fossil Record


Because not all animals have bodies which fossilize easily, the fossil record
is considered incomplete.

3.4 Determining Fossil Ages


Paleontology seeks to map out how life evolved across geologic time. A
substantial hurdle is the difficulty of working out fossil ages. There are several
different methods for estimating the ages of fossils, including:
3.4.1 stratigraphy
3.4.2 biostratigraphy
3.4.3 carbon dating

Stratigraphy
Stratigraphy is the science of understanding the strata, or layers, that form
the rock record. If a fossil is found between two layers of rock whose ages are known,
the fossil’s age is thought to be between those two known ages. Because rock
sequences are not continuous, but may be broken up by faults or periods of
erosion, it is difficult to match up rock beds that are not directly adjacent.

Biostratigraphy
Fossils of species that survived for a relatively short time can be used to
match isolated rocks: this technique is called biostratigraphy. For instance, the
extinct chordate Eoplacognathus pseudoplanus is thought to have existed during a
short range in the Middle Ordovician period. If rocks of unknown age have traces
of E. pseudoplanus, they have a mid-Ordovician age. Such index fossils must be
distinctive, globally distributed, and occupy a short time range to be useful.
Misleading results can occur if the index fossils are incorrectly dated.

Relative Dating
Stratigraphy and biostratigraphy can in general provide only relative dating,
which is often sufficient for studying evolution. This is difficult for some time
periods, however, because of the barriers involved in matching rocks of the same
age across continents.

12 LU_Earth Science_Module13
Carbon Dating
Together with stratigraphic principles, radiometric dating methods are used
in geochronology to establish the geological time scale. Beds that preserve fossils
typically lack the radioactive elements needed for radiometric dating (” radiocarbon
dating ” or simply “carbon dating”).
Ultimately, the geologic time scale was assigned numerical dates (absolute
dating) through the radiometric dating of rocks.
Fossils are also useful in determining relative ages of rocks. While working in
a coal mine, William “Strata” Smith saw that each layer or strata of sedimentary
rock holds a distinctive grouping of fossils, which can be used to establish
correlation between rock units divided by long distances. Furthermore, he observed
that these fossils succeed each other vertically in a definite order.
Contrary to William Smith, who primarily used fossils to identify rock layers,
Charles Lyell, a British lawyer and geologist, documented the utility of fossils in
sectioning geologic time on the basis of fossils. He was able to subdivide the tertiary
by inspecting the proportion of living vs. extinct fossils in the rocks. The
fundamental reason for this definite and systematic succession of fossils in the
rock record is organic evolution.
Index fossils are marker fossils used to outline periods of geologic time.
Fossils are used to define and identify periods of geologic time. It helps to match
rocks at the same age. They help in dating other fossils found in the same
sedimentary layer.Ideally, index fossils have these four characteristics:

 Distinguishing - easily differentiated from other fossils


 Abundant
 Widespread in several areas
 Limited in geologic time range.

Examples of Index Fossils


1. Ammonites were seen during the Mesozoic Era.

Figure 3. Pleuroceras spinatum


Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jsjgeology/49035345463/

2. Brachiopods appeared during the Cambrian (540 to 500 mya). Some


examples still survive.

13 LU_Earth Science_Module13
Figure 4. Neospirifer condor
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brachiopod_Neospirifer.jpg

3. Graptolites lived from the Cambrian period (505 to 540 million years ago) to
the early to mid-Carboniferous (320 to 360 million years ago).

Figure 5. Tetragraptus fossil graptolite


Fig. 5
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jsjgeology/46659742015

4. Nannofossils are microscopic fossils from various eras. Nanofossils are very
abundant, widely distributed geographically, and time-specific, because of their
high evolutionary rates.

Figure 6. Nannofossil
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calcidiscus_leptoporus_03.jpg

14 LU_Earth Science_Module13
5. Trilobites were common during the Paleozoic Era (540 to 245 mya)

Figure 7. Ceratarges spinosus fossil trilobite


Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jsjgeology/15270406565/

15 LU_Earth Science_Module13
Explore

Activity 3: Complete the Table!


Direction: Fill in the missing data to recreate the Geologic Time Scale. Write your
answers on a separate paper.

Eon Era Period Biological Features


No evidence of life.
1. Oldest fossils known.
Origin of Earth
3. Age of invertebrates
2. Marine algae flourish.

4.
ORDOVICIAN

Jawed Fishes appear.


SILURIAN Vascular plants invaded the
lands.
PALEOZOIC
5.
DEVONIAN
Animals are mostly
CARBONIFE- amphibians, seed plants
ROUS appear.

6. Reptiles, modern insects and


conifers appear

First mammal exists.


TRIASSIC First Dinosaur appears

8.

7.
JURASSIC

9. 10.

16 LU_Earth Science_Module13
Activity 4: Identify Me!
Direction: Identify what is asked in each statement. Choose your answers from the
given pool of choices below. Write your answers on a separate paper. Use
CAPITAL letter.

A. authigenic preservation B. coalification


C. index fossil D. permineralization
E. recrystallization F. replacement
G. unaltered preservation

1. It can be a small organism or a part trapped in amber or hardened plant sap.


2. The organic contents of bone and wood are replaced with silica, calcite or pyrite,
forming a rock-like fossil.
3. The hard parts are dissolved and replaced by other minerals, like calcite, silica,
pyrite, or iron.
4. The other elements are removed and only the carbon remained.
5. Hard parts are converted to more stable minerals or small crystals turn into
larger crystals.

Activity 5: True or False


Direction: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if the statement is
incorrect on a separate paper.

1. In ancient times, fossils stimulated the creation of legends of mythical creatures.


2. People have been discovering fossils for thousands of years.
3. Fossilization is a fairly common occurrence.
4. Al fossil record of organisms are complete with the parts of organisms intact.
5. A dead organism is less likely to become a fossil if it is buried by sediments.
6. Because of difficulties of preservation, only a few thousand fossils have ever been
discovered.
7. Amber is a good way of preserving small insects.
8. The most common type of fossilization is the preservation of soft tissues.
9. Rocks containing the same index fossils are about the same age.
10. Fossils of marine organisms found on land show that the land was once
covered by a sea.
11. Relative dating provides a more accurate age for dating fossils.
12. There are no gaps in the fossil records.
13. Trilobites are considered index fossils.
14. Humans existed in the Precambrian period.
15. The Earth is estimated to be at 4.6 billion years old.

17 LU_Earth Science_Module13
Deepen

Activity 6: My Own History


Direction: Create a time line for your own life. Begin from the day of your birth
until now. Mention the major events that you have experienced. You
may include illustrations and/or images and design as you see fit. Your
creativity is encouraged. Write your answer on a separate paper. Be
guided with the rubrics given below.

Category 5 4 3 2
(Excellent) (Good) (Fair) (Poor)
The output The output The output The output
Content shows at least shows 10 – 14 shows 6 – 9 life shows 1 – 5 life
15 life events. life events. events. events.
Output is Output is Output is Output reflects
exceptionally creative & a creative & some some degree of
Creativity creative. A lot of good amount of thought was creativity.
thought & effort thought was put into
was put into it. put into it. decorating it.
Exceptional use Good use of Acceptable use Slight use of
Originality of new ideas & new ideas & of new ideas & new ideas &
originality. originality. originality. originality.
The output is The output is The output is The output is
extremely neat satisfactorily acceptably neat neat and has a
Neatness and free from neat and free and has few erasures.
erasures. from erasures. minimal
erasures.

18 LU_Earth Science_Module13
Activity 7: My Edible Sedimentary Model!
Direction: Let us test how well you have understood our last discussion. Create an
edible scale model of sedimentary rock layers. You may choose to create
a sandwich, layered cake, pizza or similar items. Ensure that you have
at least five layers. Illustrate your masterpiece in the space given. Label
each layer.

Category 5 4 3 2
(Excellent) (Good) (Fair) (Poor)
The output The output The output The output
Content shows at least 5 shows at least 4 shows at least 3 shows at least 2
layers. layers. layers. layers.
Output is Output is Output is Output reflects
exceptionally creative & a creative & some some degree of
Creativity creative. A lot of good amount of thought was creativity.
thought & effort thought was put into
was put into it. put into it. decorating it.
Exceptional use Good use of Acceptable use Slight use of
Originality of new ideas & new ideas & of new ideas & new ideas &
originality. originality. originality. originality.
The output is The output is The output is The output is
Neatness extremely neat satisfactorily acceptably neat neat and has a
and free from neat and free and has few erasures.
erasures. from erasures. minimal
erasures.

19 LU_Earth Science_Module13
Gauge

Direction: Write the CAPITAL letter of your answer on a separate paper.


1. Which two (2) words BEST describe the Geological Time Scale?
A. abridged and chronological B. limited and Systematic
B. disorganized and complete D. systematic and chronological
2. Why do geologists use radioactive decay?
A. absolute time B. half – lives
B. re lative time D. time of day
3. Which dating method is the more accurate one?
A. absolute dating B. relative dating
B. both A and B D. neither A nor B
4. Which type of dating method applies the Law of Superposition?
A. absolute dating B. relative dating
C. both A and B D. neither A nor B
5. What is called as the length of time it takes for half-life of a radioactive element
isotope to decay into a stable decay into a stable element?
A. Index fossils B. Law of Superposition
C. Radioactive decay D. all of these
6. What is an example of a parent isotope?
A. argon B. lead C. strontium D. uranium
7. What isotope is used to date rocks older than 100 000 years?
A. carbon-14 method B. potassium-argon method
C. rubidium-strontium method D. uranium-lead method
8. What method uses the interpretation of the rock record?
A. absolute dating B. correlation
C. relative dating D. uniformitarianism
9. What are the “Dragon bones” found in China 2000 years ago in actuality?
A. bones of lizards B. dinosaur fossils
C. pillow lava D. unusually shaped rocks
10. Which statement about fossils is FALSE?
A. Land organisms are more likely to become fossils than marine
organisms.
B. Quick burial is almost always essential for remains to become fossils.
C. Soft-bodied organisms are the least likely to become fossils.
D. Only a tiny percentage of organisms becomes fossils.
11. Where SHOULD an organism be buried in order to make preservation complete?
A. amber B. mud C. tree sap D. any of these
12. Why does petrified wood form?
A. compression B. permineralization
C. replacement D. none of these
13. For which type of fossil is compression most common?
A. bones B. leaves C. shells D. teeth
14. What can fossils be provide clues about?
A. extinct species B. past climates
C. plate tectonics D. all of these
15. Which is NOT an index fossil?
A. brachiopods B. microfossils
C. nannofossils D. trilobites

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Answer Key

21 LU_Earth Science_Module13
22 LU_Earth Science_Module13
Activity 2: My Own History Activity 3: My Edible Sedimentary Model
Varied answers. Varied answers.

23 LU_Earth Science_Module13
References
Printed Materials

Abellera, Priscilla S. Advanced Topic In Earth Science and Travel (SCE 201) Don
Mariano Marcos Memorial State University Open University System ISBN 978-
971-9619-00-0

Garcia, Arlance Sandra Marie M. Earth Science:Grade 11/12 Module 6 Quarter 2


Week 5 – 6, First Edition, 2020, La Union Schools Division, Region 1

Olivar, Jose Tolentino II, Rodolfo, Raymond, Cabria, Hillel: Earth Science
(Philippines: Phoenix Publishing House Inc. 2016)

Petersen, James, Robert Gabler, Dorothy Sack, Mike Seeds, Dana Backman,
Donald Hyndman, Davin Hyndman: Earth and Life Science. 14th ed.
(Philippines: Rex Bookstore, 2016)

Websites

Dlloy. Brachiopod Neospirifer.jpg.


https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brachiopod_Neospirifer.jpg#file.
January 19, 2006

Geologic Record. Updated November 16, 2019.


https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/applied-and-social-sciences-
magazines/geologic-record

Geologic Time Scale.


https://empoweryourknowledgeandhappytrivia.wordpress.com/2015/03/18/
geologic-time-scale/

Hannah Groves. Microfossils from a sediment core of the Deep Sea Drilling Project
(DSDP).
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calcidiscus_leptoporus_03.jpg.
August 26, 2008

James St. John. Ceratarges spinosus fossil trilobite (AM Limestone, Middle
Devonian; southern Morrocco)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jsjgeology/15270406565/. June 11, 2010

James St. John. Pleuroceras spinatum (fossil ammonite) (Lower Jurassic;


Unterstürmig, Germany).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jsjgeology/49035345463/in/photostream/.
November 8, 2019

James St. John. Tetragraptus fossil graptolite (Bendigonian Formation, Lower


Ordovician; Spring Gully, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia) 4.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jsjgeology/46659742015. April 3, 2019

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – SDO La Union


Curriculum Implementation Division
Learning Resource Management Section
Flores St. Catbangen, San Fernando City La Union 2500
Telephone: (072) 607 - 8127
Telefax: (072) 205 - 0046
Email Address:
[email protected]
[email protected]

25 LU_Earth Science_Module13

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