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Earth History
Pre Midterm
40
Geology
Undergraduate 1
01/28/2013

Additional Geology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Relative Age Dating
Definition
The technique of establishing a chronology of events arranged in relative sequential order
Term
Numerical Age Dating
Definition
The technique of establishing when events occurred according to how much time has elapsed since their occurrence. Geologic time that has elapsed is measured in thousands, millions, or billions of years. (Counting tree rings or ice layers or analyzing radioactive isotopes)
Term
Stratigraphy
Definition
The study of layered rocks, including their compositions, origins, geometric relationships, and ages.
Term
Correlation
Definition
Matching of strata in one location to another.
Term
Lithostratigraphy
Definition
Stratigraphic correlation on the basis of rock type.
Term
Formation
Definition
The fundamental unit of lithostratigraphy. It has a definable top/bottom, and is mappable across geographic space.
Term
Biostratigraphy
Definition
Zoning of stratigraphic layers and arrangement of those layers according to relative time and deposition, using the ranges of fossils.
Term
Biozone
Definition
A stratigraphic interval defined by its fossil content and usually given the name of a characteristic fossil present in that interval. Also known as a zone.
Term
Chemostratigraphy
Definition
Correlation of strata using ratios of chemical isotopes.
Term
Isotopic Excursion
Definition
A positive or negative shift in the isotopic ratio of an element, as recorded through a succession of stratigraphic layers.
Term
Sequence Stratigraphy
Definition
Correlation of strata on the basis of erosion surfaces that separate packages of sediments or sedimentary rocks called sequences (depositional sequences)
Term
Unconformity
Definition
A surface of erosion or nondeposition.
Term
Disconformity
Definition
An unconformity in which strata below and above the erosion surface are parallel.
Term
Eustatic Sea Level
Definition
Global sea level
Term
Sequence
Definition
A relatively conformable package of sedimentary strata that is bounded below and above by unconformities or their equivalent conformities. Also known as depositional sequence.
Term
Geologic Time Scale
Definition
A chronology of Earth history
Term
GSSP
Definition
Global boundary Stratotype Section and Point, an internationally ratified point in strata marking the boundary between two time-rock (chronostratigraphic or time stratigraphic) units and their equivalent time units.
Term
Chronostratigraphic Unit
Definition
A time-rock or time stratigraphic unit; the tangible representation of a geologic time (geochronologic) unit.
Term
System
Definition
The fundamental unit of Chronostratigraphy.
Term
Period
Definition
The unit of geologic time equivalent to a system.
Term
Parent
Definition
-in a radioactive decay series. An unstable isotope that decays, or transforms, into a daughter product.
Term
Daughter
Definition
An isotope formed from the radioactive decay of a parent isotope.
Term
species
Definition
a group of organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring
Term
binominal nomenclature
Definition
A technique of identifying organisms using a two-part Latin name, a genus name followed by a species name. The Latin names are set off from ordinary text by italics or underlining.
Term
biological species concept
Definition
The concept that members of a species can breed and produce fertile offspring, and that members of a single species are distinguished from other species by reproductive isolation.
Term
paleontological species concept
Definition
The concept that the limits of ancient species may be inferred from their preserved physical traits.
Term
prokaryote
Definition
An organism that lacks a nucleated cell type.
Term
eukaryote
Definition
An organism that has a nucleated cell type.
Term
chemosynthesis
Definition
Synthesis of organic molecules using chemical energy released through oxidation of inorganic compounds.
Term
photosynthesis
Definition
The process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria create organic molecules from carbon dioxide and water using energy from sunlight.
Term
autotrophy
Definition
The process of "self feeding" by means of either harvesting light energy from the sun or oxidation of inorganic compounds to make organic molecules.
Term
synbiosis
Definition
A condition in which two or more dissimilar organisms live together in close association.
Term
heterotrophy
Definition
A means of obtaining nutrients by ingesting or breaking down organic matter.
Term
paleoecology
Definition
Study of the factors controlling the distribution and abundance of ancient species.
Term
hypsometric curve
Definition
A graph indicating the proportion of Earth's surface above and below sea level.
Term
fossil
Definition
Any evidence of ancient life.
Term
body fossil
Definition
Direct or altered remains of an ancient organism.
Term
trace fossil
Definition
Evidence of the activity of an ancient organism. Also called an ichnofossil.
Term
biomarker
Definition
An organic compound that serves as a "fingerprint" to a type of organism.
Term
taphonomy
Definition
Study of the processes of fossilization.
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