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Earth & Space ScienceGrade 7-9

Fossils and Geologic Time Answer Key

Use fossils to understand Earth's history and the geologic time scale.

Looking for Fossils and Geologic Time answers? This complete answer key provides verified solutions for all student exploration activities and assessment questions in the ExploreLearning Fossils and Geologic Time Gizmo.

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Fossil Formation

Q1.How do fossils form?

Answer

An organism dies and gets buried quickly in sediment. Over time, minerals replace the organic material, creating a fossil.

Q2.What are index fossils?

Answer

Fossils of organisms that lived for a short time but were widespread. They help date rock layers.

Q3.What's relative dating?

Answer

Determining which rock layers are older or younger based on their position (older layers are usually deeper).

Geologic Time Scale

Q4.What are the major divisions of geologic time?

Q5.What era are we in now?

Q6.When did dinosaurs live?

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