1. Study the Fossil Cards below. Just like in the Mystery Word Practice, the oldest rock layer has been marked with a Mosa symbol. The letters on the bottom left of each card represent the periods within the Paleozoic era
2. As with the Mystery Word Practice, to find the sequence, look for the most similarities between the cards. But be careful: some fossils appear in more than two cards!
3. Record the letter shown on the bottom left of each card in your chart. Make sure you start at the bottom of the chart and work your way up to the top!
Fossil Cards
Paleozoic era dated about 540-248 million years ago)
1:
Fossil Sequencing Results
Youngest Fossil
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Oldest Fossil
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Analysis Questions
2:
How did your team determine the order of fossil cards?
3:
Explain your observations of the progression of life on Earth during this time period according to the fossils found in rock layers.
4:
What species existed in multiple rock layers?
5:
What does this tell you about when the species existed?
6:
Find the fossils that only appear in one layer.
Index fossils are from species that existed on the planet during a known period of time. When you find an index fossil and know the specific period of time it existed, you can then date surrounding fossils and rock layers.
7:
Based on this information, which of these fossils could be considered index fossils? Explain.
8:
If you found a layer of rock that contained a Syringopora coral from the Carboniferous period, how old would this rock layer be? Tip: Give an age range.
Rock Column Construction
Construct a full-color rock column on a separate sheet of paper by gluing your fossil cards into the correct column order (oldest at bottom, youngest at top of column). Upload your work by selecting the "Upload Work" button on the lefthand navigation panel.
Label the oldest and youngest layer of rock on the diagram.
Next to the rock column, provide a written explanation that explains:
Approximate age of rock column (refer to Paleozoic era dates posted above Fossil Cards in Part 3: Fossil Sequencing).
Progression of life on Earth during era as shown by fossil evidence, including details such as:
Physical structures of species existing in each time period (shells, fins and tail, legs, etc.).
Type of environment you believe the species existed in based on fossilized traits (aquatic environment, land environment, etc.).
Identify at least one fossil that could be used as an index fossil and explain how it helps scientists understand the age of the rocks in which it is preserved.
How the Law of Superposition was used to determine proper sequence of rock layers and fossil evidence.
