Earth’s History Mr. Mosel – Flashcards
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How long ago did Earth form?
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4.56 billion years ago
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What do scientists use to study Precambrian time?
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Ores mined from shields (flat expanse of metamorphic rock)
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The earth's original atmosphere was composed of these gases?
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water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and several trace gases
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How did Earth's atmosphere changed during Precambrian time?
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The amount of oxygen increased.
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What are stromatolites?
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They are layered mounds of deposits made by Precambrian algae.
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What was the first period of the Paleozoic era?
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Cambrian
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Name the two continents that formed Pangaea.
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Laurasia and Gondwana
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What present day continents formed Gondwana?
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South America, Africa, Antarctica, and Australia
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The breakup of Pangaea occurred during this era.
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Mesozoic
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Which plants were among those that were common during the Mesozoic era?
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Cycads, conifers, and the ginkgoes
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Most scientists believe the extinction of Mesozoic life was caused by this.
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A collision with a large meteorite.
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The term Cenozoic means this.
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Era of recent life
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Which major animal group replaced dinosaurs and reptiles in the Cenozoic era?
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Mammals
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Which of the following animal groups benefited significantly during the Cenozoic era by being able to give birth to live young?
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Mammals
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The time known as the Precambrian began approximately how many years ago.
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4.56 billion years ago
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What was the era that followed the Precambrian?
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Paleozoic
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During the late Paleozoic, this supercontinent joined all the major landmasses together.
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Pangea
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The breakup of Pangaea began during this era.
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Mesozoic
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A large meteorite is believed to have caused the massive extinction that occurred at the end of this era
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Mesozoic
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How was the atmosphere after Earth's formation different from today's atmosphere?
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Earth's early atmosphere contained only water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and other trace gases. The atmosphere contained gases similar to those release in a volcanic eruption. Today's atmosphere contains oxygen and other gases and is more condusive to life.
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What is a trilobite?
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First organism to have a hard shell that protected them and allowed their body organs to function in a more controlled environment.
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Which era did trilobites exist?
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Paleozoic
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What is the order of the four eras
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Precambrain, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic
