answersLogoWhite

0

🧪

Geology

Do you ever wonder why one river is straight and flows quickly while another meanders along curves and seems to be slow and peaceful, or how the mountains were formed? Geology is the study of the earth, its materials, and the processes acting upon them. It includes the study of rocks and minerals; and their formation, weathering, and metamorphosis. So, when you need an answer to a question about rivers, mountains, volcanoes, rock cycles, plate tectonics, or other geological aspects, our Geology category is the place to ask it.

500 Questions

Why is it harder for a historian to use sources than for a detectives?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

Many sources that historians use are not as reliable as those used by a detective. They have to compile different sources from the same era to determine their accuracy.

What is the difference between geologist and archologist?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

History is a recoliction of past events and goes into details about what or never happened. Archeology is a form of History which goes into searching for fragments of the past like ancient civilizations.

Why do the sun's gravity didn't pull the earth?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

This question does not make sense. The sun's gravitational pull has an enormous effect on the earth. The earth is 5,973,600,000,000,000,000,000,000 kg and is travelling 107,279 km/h, and the sun's gravitational pull causes it to continually change direction instead of heading off into space in a straight line.

What are the eras and periods of the geologic time scale?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

The eras of the geologic time scale are the Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic. Within these eras are various periods, such as the Devonian and Jurassic periods within the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, respectively. These divisions help geologists categorize Earth's history into manageable segments based on significant geological and biological events.

What problems might arise when potasium-40 and argon-40 radioactive isotopes are use for age dating?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

One potential problem is contamination, where non-radiogenic argon may be present in the sample, leading to inaccurate age dating. Additionally, the closure temperature of the system can affect accuracy, as different minerals have different closure temperatures that can influence the retention and release of argon. Lastly, geological processes like metamorphism or recrystallization can reset the argon-argon clock, affecting the accuracy of age dating with these isotopes.

What geological era are we in right now?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

We are currently in the Quaternary period, which is the most recent geological period within the Cenozoic era. The Quaternary period began approximately 2.6 million years ago and is characterized by the presence of ice ages and the evolution of early humans.

Are the oldest known human settlements on earth are found in Europe?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

No, the oldest known human settlements on Earth are found in Africa. Sites such as Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania and the Rift Valley region contain some of the earliest evidence of human habitation dating back over 2 million years. Europe has more recent settlements in comparison.

What does finding a six leaf clover mean...that u found a six leaf clover?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

Finding a six-leaf clover is extremely rare and considered to bring a great deal of luck and good fortune. It is believed to bring even more luck than finding a four-leaf clover, which is already considered lucky. People often see it as a symbol of extraordinary luck and a positive change in one's life.

How is Granite different from Sandstone?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

Granite is an igneous rock formed from the cooling of molten magma deep within the Earth's crust, characterized by its interlocking crystals of minerals like feldspar, quartz, and mica. Sandstone, on the other hand, is a sedimentary rock composed of sand-sized mineral particles and rock fragments, usually cemented together by minerals like quartz or calcite. Granite is more durable and resistant to weathering compared to sandstone.

Explain how radiometric dating is used to estimate absolute age?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

Radiometric dating is based on the principle that certain isotopes decay at a constant rate over time. By measuring the ratio of parent isotopes to daughter isotopes in a rock sample, scientists can calculate how much time has passed since the rock formed. This method provides an accurate estimate of the absolute age of the rock or fossil.

The carbon-14 method of dating differs from the potassium-argon and the uranium-lead methods of dating by using what?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

The carbon-14 dating method differs by using the decay of carbon-14 isotopes to determine the age of organic materials up to around 50,000 years old, while potassium-argon and uranium-lead methods are used for dating older rocks and minerals. Carbon-14 dating is primarily used for relatively recent materials, while potassium-argon and uranium-lead methods are used for dating geological samples millions to billions of years old.

Since radioactive isotopes decay at different rates how is radiocarbon dating of any value in determining how old a fossil is?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

Radiocarbon dating is useful for determining the age of organic materials such as fossils because it measures the decay of carbon-14 isotopes. Carbon-14 has a half-life of about 5,730 years, making it suitable for dating organic remains up to around 50,000 years old. By comparing the ratio of carbon-14 to stable carbon isotopes in a sample, scientists can calculate its age.

The study of the layers of earth that have been deposited over a long period of time?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

The study of the layers of the Earth that have been deposited over a long period of time is called stratigraphy. This field helps scientists understand the chronological order of rock layers and their composition, providing insight into the Earth's past environments and geologic history. Stratigraphy is crucial for interpreting the history of life on Earth and understanding past climate changes.

Carbon 14 is useful for dating fossils that are?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

Carbon 14 dating is most useful for dating fossils that are up to 50,000 years old. Beyond this time frame, the amount of C-14 left in the fossil is too minimal to provide accurate dating results.

If you toss a rock into a lake what happens to the rock as it sinks?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

As the rock sinks in the lake, it displaces water, causing a disturbance in the water's surface. The rock experiences a buoyant force pushing against it as it sinks due to the displaced water. Eventually, the rock settles at the bottom of the lake due to gravity.

Is radiocarbon dating accurate?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

Radiocarbon dating is generally accurate for dating organic materials up to about 50,000 years old. However, factors such as sample contamination and calibration errors can affect the accuracy of the results. It is important to consider these limitations when interpreting radiocarbon dates.

What are the uses of Rhydite?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

Rhyolite is commonly used in construction as crushed stone for concrete aggregate, road base, and railroad ballast. It is also used in landscaping as decorative rock and in the production of ceramics and glass. Additionally, rhyolite is sometimes used as a gemstone for jewelry.

Dating uses the properties of atoms in rocks and other objects to find their ages?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

Dating methods like radiometric dating use the decay of radioactive isotopes in rocks to determine their age. By measuring the ratios of different isotopes in a sample, scientists can calculate how long it has been since the rock formed. This can provide valuable information about the history of the Earth and when specific events occurred.

Where is sun rays falls vertically on the earth?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

Sun rays fall vertically on the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn twice a year during the summer solstice and winter solstice, respectively. This is when these locations experience either the longest or shortest day of the year.

Can carbon dating be used to identify the age of index fossils?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

No, carbon dating is not used to date index fossils. Carbon dating is only effective on organic materials up to about 50,000 years old, while index fossils are used to identify the age of rock layers and are typically much older. Index fossils are dated using relative dating techniques based on their position in the rock layers.

What time period did Pangea exist in?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

Pangea existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, approximately 300-175 million years ago. This supercontinent began to break apart around 175 million years ago, leading to the formation of the continents as we know them today.

What is a time Eons?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

An eon is a long period of time, typically representing a billion years or more in geological terms. It is used to describe vast expanses of time in the history of the Earth or the universe.

Does the geologic time scale change?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

The geologic time scale is a framework that organizes Earth's history into eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages. While the broad structure of the time scale remains relatively stable, refinements and adjustments are made as new research and insights emerge. These changes help to improve our understanding of Earth's history and the relationships between different geological events.

What is the current era in the geologic time scale?

User Avatar

Asked by Wiki User

The current era in the geologic time scale is the Cenozoic era, which began about 66 million years ago and continues to the present day. It is characterized by the dominance of mammals and the diversification of plant life.