Question

1. which fossil organisms are most commonly found in new york state bedrock?

a) dinosaurs c) trilobites and brachiopods
b) mammals d) flowering plants

1. which period in earth’s history does life on earth include extensive coal - forming vegetation in swamps

a) quaternary c) cambrian
b) silurian d) pennsylvanian

1. according to the geologic history of new york state table, which mountain - building event occurred during the ordovician period?

a) appalachian uplift c) acadian orogeny
b) taconic orogeny d) grenville orogeny

1. which rock type is most likely to contain fossils in new york state?

a) sedimentary c) metamorphic
b) igneous d) extrusive

1. sandstone and shale in new york state most likely formed in:

a) deep - ocean trenches c) rivers, deltas, and shallow seas
b) volcanic island arcs d) polar ice caps

1. which rocks in new york state are the oldest?

a) devonian sedimentary rocks c) ordovician sedimentary rocks
b) silurian sedimentary rocks d) precambrian metamorphic rocks

1. which statement best describes new york state’s geologic past?

a) it has always been above sea level c) it formed entirely from volcanic a
b) it has experienced repeated marine environments d) it formed only during glaciation

1. fossils are least likely to be found in which new york state rock type?

a) limestone c) sandston
b) shale d) metamorphic rock

Explanation:

1. Trilobites and brachiopods are ancient marine organisms whose fossils are abundant in New York State's Paleozoic bedrock, which dominates the region's exposed rock layers.
2. The Pennsylvanian Period is known as the "Age of Coal" due to extensive swamp vegetation that formed large coal deposits.
3. The Taconic orogeny is the mountain-building event documented to have occurred during the Ordovician Period in New York State's geologic history.
4. Sedimentary rocks form from deposited sediments, which often trap and preserve plant and animal remains as fossils; this is the primary rock type for fossil preservation.
5. Sandstone forms from deposited sand particles, and shale from fine clay/silt, both of which accumulate in low-energy aquatic environments like rivers, deltas, and shallow seas, which were prevalent in New York's geologic past.
6. The Precambrian is the earliest geologic eon, and its metamorphic rocks in New York State are the oldest, forming long before the Paleozoic sedimentary rocks listed.
7. New York State's geologic record shows repeated cycles of being submerged under shallow seas and exposed, evidenced by alternating marine and terrestrial rock layers.
8. Metamorphic rocks form under intense heat and pressure, which destroys any fossil remains that may have been present in the original rock material.

Answer:

1. C) Trilobites and brachiopods
2. D) Pennsylvanian
3. B) Taconic orogeny
4. A) Sedimentary
5. C) Rivers, deltas, and shallow seas
6. D) Precambrian metamorphic rocks
7. B) It has experienced repeated marine environments
8. D) Metamorphic rock