Geologic time & natural resources vocab

Evidence of Ancient life

A hollow/empty impression of ancient life in rock after the original organic material decays away.

3D copy of ancient life is formed when mineral fills ups a mold fossil

A snapshot of ancient life activity.

Original, unchanged parts of an ancient organism that has been Preserved.

Method to determine the Chronological order to geological events

Determines specific numerical age of rocks,Fossil, events in years

Layer of rock in ground

Layer of sediment are deposited horizontally cause of gravity

Principle that the same natural laws and geological processes (like erosion, sedimentation, and volcanic activity) have been working consistently throughout Earth’s life.

Principle states that in an strata, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top

Geological feature is younger than any other feature it cuts through.

Buried surface in rock that records a gap in geological time.

the process of establishing relationships between strata/geological events in different areas

Fossil from an organism that lived for a short specific geological time

natural process where unstable elements in minerals release particles, transforming into stable atoms

The time it takes for half the atoms in radioactive element to decay into a more stable element.

natural resource that can naturally recreate itself in a short period of time.

A valuable resource that us humans use much faster than it can be restored.

Natural energy sources, like coal, oil, and natural gas, that formed underground over millions of years.

when pollution comes from one specific spot.

When pollution comes from many non-identifiable areas

Appalachian plateau Coastal plain Piedmont Blue ridge mountains Valley and ridge

abundant forests farmland water minerals diverse wildlife unique geological features