Enjoy any 5 free lessons!
You can pick. No account needed.
Watch VideoBecome a member to get full access to our entire library of learning videos, reading material, quiz games, simple DIY activities & more.
Become a member to get full access to our entire library of learning videos, quiz games, & more.
Plans & Pricingto watch this full video.
Access All Videos
and Lessons, No Limits.
Access All Videos
No credit card required,
takes 7 sec to signup.
No card required
Ready-to-go lessons
that save you time.
Ready-to-go lessons
If you are on a school computer or network, ask your tech person to whitelist these URLs:
*.wistia.com, fast.wistia.com, fast.wistia.net, embedwistia-a.akamaihd.net
Sometimes a simple refresh solves this issue. If you need further help, contact us.
Rock Layers (Geologic Time)
- Show lesson plan & teacher guide
- Show answers to discussion questions
- Show video only
- Allow visiting of other pages
- Hide assessments
- Scientists study rock layers to understand Earth's history.
- In a series of rock layers, the oldest ones are the bottom and the newest one are at the top.
- Scientists organize Earth's 4.6 billion year history through the geologic time scale.
-
Discussion Questions
-
Before VideoWhat is a fossil? Give some examples.ANSWER
-
A fossil is an imprint of something that lived a long time ago. I have seen an imprint of a shell on a rock.
-
Scientists can figure out what the rocks are made of and about different things that used to live there.
-
Dinosaurs, ferns, raptors, pterodactyls, woolly mammoths, different bug like things.
-
Weathering is when rocks are broken down into smaller pieces.
-
Erosion happens when wind and water move small pieces of rocks and stuff around and it settles in a new place.
-
Some processes that can change how the landscape looks are erosion, earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides.
-
-
After VideoHow old is Earth and what do we use to keep track of major Earth events?ANSWER
-
Earth is 4.6 billion years old and the geologic time scale is used to keep track of the events that have happened since Earth was formed.
-
A big meteor hit Earth, and scientists know this because they have found a rock layer they named the K-T boundary that show dinosaurs living before that layer but none after.
-
Weathering and erosion made things like the Grand Canyon because the river weathered the rocks and erosion moved it down the river.
-
The rock layers can tell us when different organisms went extinct. They can also tell us when new organisms showed up, like during the Cambrian explosion.
-
Sedimentary rock is made from sediment that were eroded and deposited in layers. Over time, the weight of the layers on top compact the sediments in the layer below. Sediments are later cemented together by natural processes forming sedimentary rock.
-
Earthquakes shake Earth, sometimes causing cracks. When Earth shakes, it moves the crust around and this could help expose new rock layers and fossils.
-
-
-
Vocabulary
-
Geologic time scale
DEFINE
Arrangement of events used as a measure of the relative or absolute age of any part of geologic time.
-
Sedimentary rock
DEFINE
Rock that forms when sediment from erosion is compressed together.
-
Erosion
DEFINE
When small pieces of rock (sediment) are moved around by wind and/or water.
-
Deposited
DEFINE
When sediment stops moving and collects in a new area.
-
Weathering
DEFINE
When rocks are broken down into smaller pieces.
-
Intrusion
DEFINE
When molten rock from inside Earth moves through cracks in the rock layers. This molten rock will sometimes reach and break through the surface.
-
Relative dating
DEFINE
The age of something based on its placement.
-
Absolute dating
DEFINE
The exact age of something.
-
Fossil
DEFINE
Evidence of past life that have been preserved in rocks.
-
Plate tectonics
DEFINE
The movement of Earth’s plates that can cause rock layers to move.
-
Geologic time scale
DEFINE
-
Reading Material
Download as PDF Download PDF View as Separate PageWHAT ARE ROCK LAYERS (GEOLOGIC TIME)?Scientists use the rock layers to help them figure out the history of the planet. By investigating the layers, they also uncover fossils of organisms that lived in the past. By examining where in the rock layers fossils are found, scientists have been able to put together the geologic time scale, which is used to explain Earth’s 4.6-billion-year history.
To better understand rock layers (Geologic Time)…
WHAT ARE ROCK LAYERS (GEOLOGIC TIME)?. Scientists use the rock layers to help them figure out the history of the planet. By investigating the layers, they also uncover fossils of organisms that lived in the past. By examining where in the rock layers fossils are found, scientists have been able to put together the geologic time scale, which is used to explain Earth’s 4.6-billion-year history. To better understand rock layers (Geologic Time)…LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!
Sedimentary Rock
Sedimentary rock is made from sediment that has been layered on top of each other and then pressed together, usually by more sediment. Many fossils are found in this type of rock because it was easily covered by the sediment and the rock was compressed around the organism.
Sedimentary Rock Sedimentary rock is made from sediment that has been layered on top of each other and then pressed together, usually by more sediment. Many fossils are found in this type of rock because it was easily covered by the sediment and the rock was compressed around the organism.The KT Boundary
The KT boundary is a rock layer that appears across Earth. The KT boundary was created when a meteor hit Earth, sending dust and other particles into the air. There was so much dust it covered Earth and led to the mass extinction of many living things. Scientist have found an abundance of fossils of living things, including dinosaurs, below the KT layer, but very few fossils appear in the layer on top of the KT layer.
The KT Boundary The KT boundary is a rock layer that appears across Earth. The KT boundary was created when a meteor hit Earth, sending dust and other particles into the air. There was so much dust it covered Earth and led to the mass extinction of many living things. Scientist have found an abundance of fossils of living things, including dinosaurs, below the KT layer, but very few fossils appear in the layer on top of the KT layer.Fossils Help Determine Earth’s History
Scientists use fossils to help determine what kinds of organisms lived on Earth and when they lived here. Fossils also help scientists determine how the surface of Earth has changed over time. For example, scientists have found the fossil remains of aquatic life up in the mountains, indicating that rock layer used to be close to water and has been moved over thousands of years.
Fossils Help Determine Earth’s History Scientists use fossils to help determine what kinds of organisms lived on Earth and when they lived here. Fossils also help scientists determine how the surface of Earth has changed over time. For example, scientists have found the fossil remains of aquatic life up in the mountains, indicating that rock layer used to be close to water and has been moved over thousands of years.Careers in Science: Paleontologist
Paleontologists are scientists that study fossils and rock layers. Paleontologists investigate rock layers all over Earth to help put together Earth’s history and the history of the organisms that lived here in the past. By carefully digging through the rock layers, they have uncovered organisms no one ever knew existed.
Careers in Science: Paleontologist Paleontologists are scientists that study fossils and rock layers. Paleontologists investigate rock layers all over Earth to help put together Earth’s history and the history of the organisms that lived here in the past. By carefully digging through the rock layers, they have uncovered organisms no one ever knew existed.Careers in Science: Geologist
Geologist are scientists that study the composition of Earth, including land formations and rock layers. Some geologists specialize in studying natural hazards like earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides. Geologist may also look for oil, gas, mineral ores and other natural resources.
Careers in Science: Geologist Geologist are scientists that study the composition of Earth, including land formations and rock layers. Some geologists specialize in studying natural hazards like earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides. Geologist may also look for oil, gas, mineral ores and other natural resources. -
DIY Activity Guide
-
Teacher Resources
Create Free Account To Unlock -
Teacher Resources
These downloadable teacher resources can help you create a full lesson around the video. These PDFs incorporate using class discussion questions, vocabulary lists, printable worksheets, quizzes, games, and more.
Select a Google Form
Choose a way to play this quiz game
-
Questions appear on the teacher's screen. Students answer on their own devices.
-
A self-paced game with questions and answers shown on the student's device.
Start a Free Trial Today. Get a $5 Amazon Gift Card!
Teachers! Start a free trial & we'll send your gift card within 1 day. Only cards left. Try it now.
This email is associated with a Science Kit subscription. Kit subscriptions are managed on this separate page: Manage Subscription
-
Science & Math$/yr
-
Science Only$/yr
In a series of rock layers, where do you find the oldest layers? Explain why?
If you see many fossils of an animal in rock layers and then a few layers above they are all gone, what does that tell you?
How do scientists think the dinosaurs went extinct? Describe some of the evidence using the words: rock layers.
access all lessons
• No credit card required •
"My students loved the videos. I started the video subscription in May and used them as a review before the state test, which I know contributed to 100% of my class passing the state test."
Rhonda Fox 4th Grade Teacher, Ocala, Florida• No credit card required •
"My students loved the videos. I started the video subscription in May and used them as a review before the state test, which I know contributed to 100% of my class passing the state test."
Rhonda Fox 4th Grade Teacher, Ocala, Florida• No credit card required •
Already a member? Sign In
* no credit card required *
* no credit card required *
* no credit card required *
no credit card required
Skip, I will use a 3 day free trial
Enjoy your free 30 days trial
-
Unlimited access to our full library
of videos & lessons for grades K-5. -
You won’t be billed unless you keep your
account open past your 14-day free trial. -
You can cancel anytime in 1 click on the
manage account page or by emailing us.
-
Unlimited access to our full library of videos & lessons for grades K-5.
-
You won't be billed unless you keep your account open past 14 days.
-
You can cancel anytime in 1-click on the manage account page.
Cancel anytime in 1-click on the manage account page before the trial ends and you won't be charged.
Otherwise you will pay just $10 CAD/month for the service as long as your account is open.
Cancel anytime on the manage account page in 1-click and you won't be charged.
Otherwise you will pay $10 CAD/month for the service as long as your account is open.
We just sent you a confirmation email. Enjoy!
DonePlease login or join.