Overview
Paleontology and stratigraphy are interconnected fields that provide insights into Earth's history and the evolution of life. Paleontology focuses on the study of fossils, which are the preserved remains of ancient organisms, while stratigraphy examines the layers of rock that contain these fossils....
Key Terms
Example: Dinosaur bones are fossils that provide insight into prehistoric life.
Example: Each stratum in a cliff face represents a different period of geological history.
Example: Biostratigraphy helps geologists determine the age of rock layers by identifying index fossils.
Example: Trilobites are often used as index fossils for the Paleozoic era.
Example: The geological time scale divides Earth's history into eons, eras, and periods.
Example: Paleoecology helps scientists understand how ancient environments functioned.