Regents Earth Science Test Preparation Practice Relative Age And Sequence Of Rock Strata

Base your answers to questions 1 on the cross sections below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The cross sections represent three widely spaced rock outcrops labeled A, B, and C. Line XY represents a fault. Overturning has not occurred.

earth-history, earth-history, relative-age-and-sequence-of-rock-strata, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci-v202-exam_g38.png

What is the youngest sedimentary rock layer represented in these cross sections?*

(1) black shale

(2) brown sandstone

(3) tan siltstone

(4) conglomerate

The geologic cross section below shows bedrock layers A through D. Line XY is a fault.

earth-history, earth-history, relative-age-and-sequence-of-rock-strata, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12012-examw_g5.png

The fault most likely occurred after*

(1) all bedrock layers were formed

(2) layer C formed, but before layer D formed

(3) layer A formed, but before layer B formed

(4) layer B formed, but before layer C formed

Which index fossil has been found in Ordovician-age bedrock?

geologic-history, reference-tables, earth-history, earth-history, relative-age-and-sequence-of-rock-strata, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12012-examw_g27.png *

(1) 1

(2) 2

(3) 3

(4) 4

Base your answers to questions 4 on the block diagram below, which shows bedrock units A through F and boundary XX⬘.

reference-tables, scheme-for-metamorphic-rock-identification, rocks-and-minerals, formation-classification-and-application-of-rocks, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12013-exam_g18.png

Which sequence best describes the geologic history, from oldest to youngest, that occurred at this site?*

(1) deposition of F, D, C, B → intrusion of E → uplift and erosion → deposition of A

(2) intrusion of E → deposition of F, D, C, B → uplift and erosion → deposition of A

(3) deposition of F, D, C, B, A → uplift and erosion → intrusion of E

(4) deposition of F, D, C, B, A → intrusion of E → uplift and erosion

Valcouroceras is a New York State index fossil. Which mountain-building event occurred in New York State during the time when Valcouroceras was living in oceans covering parts of New York State?*

(1) Alleghenian orogeny

(2) Acadian orogeny

(3) Taconian orogeny

(4) Grenville orogeny

The diagram below represents three bedrock outcrops. The layers have not been overturned. Letters A through E identify different rock layers. Fossils found in the rock layers are shown.

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Which fossil could be classified as an index fossil?

earth-history, earth-history, relative-age-and-sequence-of-rock-strata, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12014-examw_g25.png *

(1) 1

(2) 2

(3) 3

(4) 4

The geologic cross section below includes an unconformity and an igneous intrusion.

earth-history, earth-history, relative-age-and-sequence-of-rock-strata, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12015-examw_g8.png

Which two events produced the geologic unconformity in the rock record?*

(1) intrusion of magma, followed by contact metamorphism

(2) intrusion of magma, followed by erosion of rock layers

(3) erosion of rock layers, followed by deposition of more sediments

(4) erosion of rock layers, followed by intrusion of magma

The cross sections below represent three outcrops, labeled I, II, and III, containing some New York State index fossils. The rock layers have not been overturned.

earth-history, earth-history, relative-age-and-sequence-of-rock-strata, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12015-examw_g21.png

When the rock layers in the three outcrops are correlated, the oldest layer is the*

(1) shale layer in outcrop I

(2) siltstone layer in outcrop II

(3) limestone layer in outcrop III

(4) conglomerate layer in outcrop III

The bedrock cross section below contains rock formations A, B, C, and D. The rock formations have not been overturned.

earth-history, earth-history, relative-age-and-sequence-of-rock-strata, standard-6-interconnectedness, models, standard-6-interconnectedness, patterns-of-change fig: esci12016-examw_g6.png

Which sequence represents the relative ages of these rock formations, from oldest to youngest?*

(1) B → A → C → D

(2) B → D → C → A

(3) D → C → A → B

(4) D → B → A → C

Base your responses to questions 10 on the passage below.

Frozen Mammoth

A wooly mammoth was found in 1999 buried in the frozen soil of the Siberian tundra. Carbon-14 dating indicated that it had died about 20,000 years ago. Many fossils represent only the partial remains of organisms. However, a complete mammoth with bones, skin, hair, and internal organs intact represented a unique opportunity for scientists to investigate the lifestyle of this animal and the environment in which it lived.

Identify one New York State index fossil of an organism that lived during the same time as the wooly mammoth. [1]*

Base your answers to questions 11 on the passage and map of a portion of the East African Rift system shown below. Point X represents a location on Earth’s surface within a rift valley on the Ethiopian Dome.

The Great Rift Valley

Rifting of Earth’s crust in eastern Africa began during the Neogene Period as the Ethiopian and Kenyan Domes formed. These two huge domes were created as Earth’s mantle pushed up the overlying crust. As the crust was forced upward, the resulting tension cracked the crust, resulting in the eruption of volcanoes and the formation of large rifts. The crust continued to pull apart, forming rift valleys. These valleys have become deeper and are currently becoming filled with sediments, igneous rock, and water.

geologic-history, reference-tables, earth-history, earth-history, relative-age-and-sequence-of-rock-strata, standard-1-math-and-science-inquery, geocentric-model-heliocentric-model, standard-6-interconnectedness, magnitude-and-scale fig: esci12012-examw_g37.png

How many million years ago did the Ethiopian and Kenyan Domes form? [1]

million years ago*

Base your answers to questions 12 on the cross section below showing the underlying bedrock of New York and New Jersey along the Hudson River.

reference-tables, scheme-for-metamorphic-rock-identification, earth-history, earth-history, relative-age-and-sequence-of-rock-strata, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12012-examw_g41.png

Identify the oldest bedrock shown in the diagram. [1]*

Base your answers to questions 13 on the diagram and tables below. The diagram shows a rock sample containing fossils from a location in New York State at 42° N 78° 15⬘ W. Fossils 1, 2, 3, and 4 are labeled. Table A lists the names and rock types of the New York State rock units from the Middle and Late Devonian in this area. The presence of fossil 1, 2, 3, or 4 in a rock unit is indicated by an X in the fossils column in the table. Table B identifies typical rocks formed within different marine (ocean) environments.

reference-tables, generalized-bedrock-geology-of-new-york-state, landscapes, patterns-of-deposition-and-formation-of-sedimentary-rocks, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12013-exam_g37.png

Identify the New York State index fossil group that includes fossil 4 shown on the rock sample. [1]*

Base your answers to questions 14 on the geologic cross section of Earth’s crust in image provided and on your knowledge of Earth science. Letters A through F identify rock units. Letter X identifies a fault. Wavy line YZ represents an unconformity. The locations of contact metamorphism and the map symbols for sedimentary rock layers B and E have been omitted.

Indicate the relative ages of geologic features B, E, F, and X, by listing the letters from oldest to most recent. [1]

earth-history, earth-history, relative-age-and-sequence-of-rock-strata, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12014-ansbk_abkq2.png

Base your answers to questions 15 on the cross section below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The cross section represents a portion of Earth’s crust. Letters A, B, C, and D indicate sedimentary rock layers that were originally formed from deposits in a sea. The rock layers have not been overturned.

earth-history, earth-history, relative-age-and-sequence-of-rock-strata, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12015-examw_g51.png

Geologic events V through Z are listed below.

V. Metamorphism of some sedimentary rock

W. Formation of sedimentary rock layers

X. Tilting and erosion of sedimentary rock layers

Y. Intrusion/extrusion of igneous rock

Z. Erosion of some igneous rock

List the letters V through Z to indicate the correct order of the geologic events, from oldest to youngest, that formed this portion of Earth’s crust. [1]

earth-history, earth-history, relative-age-and-sequence-of-rock-strata, standard-6-interconnectedness, models fig: esci12015-ansbk_abkq4.png