7th Grade Science Guide

7.2: Changes to Earth 3 Dimensions & Progressions

Unit 3

STANDARD 7.2.6 ●​ 7.2.6 Make an argument from evidence for how the geologic time scale shows the age and history of Earth . Emphasize scientific evidence from rock strata, the fossil record, and the principles of relative dating, such as superposition, uniformitarianism and recognizing unconformities. (MS-ESS1-4)

CONCEPTS

SKILLS

●​ Geologic time scale ●​ History of Earth ●​ Rock strata ●​ Fossil record

●​ Make an argument from evidence

●​ Relative dating ●​ Superposition ●​ Uniformitarianism ●​ Recognizing unconformities

LEARNING PROGRESSIONS

●​ Newer rock layers sit on top of older rock layers typically ●​ The fossil record can provide relative dates based on the appearance or disappearance of organisms ●​ Specific major events can be used to indicate periods of time that occurred before a given event (extensive lava flow, volcanic eruptions, asteroid impact) ●​ Using a combination of rock layers, fossil record, and major geologic events, we can create a model for Earth’s history.

VOCABULARY ●​ Fossils ●​ Ancient

●​ Geology ●​ Geological ●​ Fault ●​ Fold ​ ●​ Uplift ●​ Intrusion ●​ Cross-cutting

●​ Stratigraphy ●​ Relative Dating ●​ Sequence ●​ Superposition ●​ Uniformitarianism ●​ Unconformities

●​ Prehistoric ●​ Layer ●​ Formation ●​ Strata ●​ Mineral

POSSIBLE PHENOMENA ●​ Ogden Canyon near Ogden, Utah has very odd rock layering that appears to be standing on edge. ●​ The Arbuckle Mountains in South-Central Oklahoma were once islands. ●​ The fossil record in Utah contains many diverse marine fossils. ●​ There are many different rock layers exposed on the sides of the Grand Canyon.