D.S.Q.:

1. D.S.Q.: • Study the photograph of the Grand Canyon. How did the Grand Canyon form? How can you identify the different rock layers? Where are the oldest layers? Why is the Grand Canyon such an important place to study the geologic history western North America? • When you are finished with the questions above, work on your Fossil Chart until we get started on notes.

2. The Grand Canyon • One of the best places in North America to see the Earth’s history recorded in rock layers is the Grand Canyon National Park. • The Colorado River has cut the canyon nearly 2km deep in some places. • During the process, countless layers of rock have been eroded by the river. • These layers represent many, many years of geologic time.

3. Sedimentary Rock • Sedimentary rocks cover 75% of the Earth's land area. • Layer after layer of eroded earth is deposited on top of each. These layers are pressed down more and more through time, until the bottom layers slowly turn into rock. • Sedimentary rock makes up the Grand Canyon. • Fossils are found in sedimentary layers.

4. Geologic Time Scale • Geologists have created the geologic time scale to study the time of the formation of Earth’s rocks. • The geologic time scale is a scale that divides Earth’s history into distinct intervals of time. • Three eras of time on the scale are: Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic. • Check out the scale on pg. 130.

5. The Three Eras (Youngest to Oldest) • Cenozoic- means “recent life;” we live in this era. This era is known as the Age of Mammals. • Mesozoic- means “middle life.” This era is known as the Age of Reptiles. • Paleozoic- means “old life;” it is the first era well represented by fossils. This era came to an end with mass extinction.

6. Assignments • Complete fossil chart and any other incomplete assignments. • Choose a prehistoric animal (books are at the lab table 5) and find information about the animal and the time period it lived in. RESEARCH general facts, interesting facts, any facts you can think of! • CyberEd