Module 13
Module 13
Module 13
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Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
Welcome to the Earth and Life Science for Grade 11 Alternative Delivery
Mode (ADM) Module on Geologic Time Scale: Relative and Absolute Dating.
This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration
their needs and circumstances.
In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body
of the module:
As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing
them to manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage
and assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
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Welcome to the Earth and Life Science Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module
on Geologic Time Scale: Relative and Absolute Dating.
The hand is one of the most symbolized parts of the human body. It is often used
to depict skill, action, and purpose. Through our hands, we may learn, create,
and accomplish many things. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies
that you, as a learner, are capable and empowered to successfully achieve the
relevant competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic
success lies in your own hands!
This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities
for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be
enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while being an active
learner.
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1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you
are not alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!
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This module covers the scientific principles that the historical geologists used to
describe the Earth’s past. This will also serve as a guide to the clues that were
left on Earth, the different events, and the time it took these events to happen
which are depicted in the geologic time scale.
In this module, you will be able to determine the different divisions that comprise
the geologic time scale which uses the two methods of record: the absolute and
the relative dating.
What I Know
Directions: Read each item carefully. Choose the letter of the best answer and
write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Which division in the geologic time represents a time span of about 88%?
A. Cenozoic
B. Mesozoic
C. Paleozoic
D. Precambrian
3. Which of these is the best indication of the relative age of a rock layer?
A. the thickness of the layer
B. the chemical makeup of the layer
C. the distance of the layer extends over the Earth
D. the position of the layer compared to other layers
7. Which division in the geologic time shows evidence of molten rocks in the
Earth’s surface due to its high temperature?
A. Mesozoic Era
B. Precambrian
C. Miocene Epoch
D. Tertiary Period
10. In what geological periods did trilobites and other early arthropods
appear?
A. Cambrian
B. Devonian
C. Permian
D. Eocene
12. From the lists of divisions in the geologic time scale, which is considered as
the earliest?
A. Hadean
B. Archaean
C. Quaternary
D. Phanerozoic
13. Which of the following does NOT represent the geologic time scale?
A. the geologic history of universe
B. the fossil record of flora and fauna
C. the age of the Earth and its inhabitants
D. evolution of life dating back 4.6 billion years ago
14. What do you call the organism that is no longer existing on Earth?
A. extinct
B. petrified
C. fossilized
D. sedimentary
15. Which geological era marks its end with the disappearance of the
dinosaurs?
A. Precambrian
B. Mesozoic Era
C. Miocene Epoch
D. Tertiary Period
Lesso
n
Geologic Time Scale
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Deposition of sediments contribute to reshaping the surface of the Earth.
Deposits are laid down by different environmental factors such as volcanic
eruption, erosion, weathering debris of rocks (clay and silts) and even all its fossil
content and historical information.
Earth history including its rock strata, the rock study, and discovery, as well as
the fossils, are engraved in one of the most important materials known as
geologic record. The geologic time scale is the “calendar” for events in Earth’s
history.
The importance of Geologic time scale was, it serves as standard timeline used
to describe the age of rocks, fossils, and the events that formed them. A device
which is of great help to the science of geology owed to the explorations and
studied made by the geologists that were recorded.
The necessity of knowing how life began in the past, the events, and principles
behind the Earth’s history enable us to conform with the alterations or
consequences that we might encounter or experience in the near future. As a
part of the new generation, we should be appreciative and accept that all things
that are present in our time were the outcome of Earth’s history.
What’s In
In the previous lessons, you had learned that stratified rocks are products of
sedimentary process which include weathering and erosion of pre-existing rocks.
Wherein, these sediments will be transported by the agent of erosion such as
water, wind, or ice, and deposited in seas and acted upon by the process of
compaction and lithification. As time goes by, these sedimentary rocks will form
layers or stratification representing periods of deposition of sediments. Based on
this, there are several laws that governed stratigraphy as proposed by Nicolas
Steno.
Nicolas Steno’s Law of Stratigraphy opens our eyes to the world of rock layers
and its formation. It also shows how endogenic and exogenic geological
processes cause alteration in rocks that lead to the formation and deformation of
rock layers.
Let us find out if you can still recall how these laws are depicted in the rock
strata. Identify the law of stratigraphy the following diagrams represent.
A B
Guide questions:
Let the learners describe how the laws explain the formation of
rock strata. Give the learners enough time to review what they
had learned in the previous lesson regarding relative and
absolute dating.
B
A
What’s New
Sequence Drill
In a sequential manner, make five to seven relative events that happened in your
life. For example, the day you were born, the day your brother or sister was born,
or your first date with your boyfriend or girlfriend. Write your answer in the table
below.
Time Scale
Relative Scale Absolute Scale
I was born I was born Example
(Jan.28,2001)
The way the relative events are arranged in your data is similar to how the
geologists studied the Earth’s history: its geological timescale of Earth’s age and
how it is determined.
What Is It
Since the beginning, geologists have been studying the Earth to unwrap the
secrets of the past. They have been analyzing rock samples gathered from
different continents in the world including its layers and its correlation with the
fossils. This helps in relating the sequence of events in the Earth’s history which
is clearly presented in the geologic time scale.
The geologic time scale is divided into a series of time intervals which are equal
in length. These time intervals are different from that of a clock. They are divided
according to the significant events in the history of Earth such as the mass
extinction of a large population of fauna and flora.
Eocene 55.8
Paleocene 65.5
Cretaceous 145
Mesozoic
Jurassic 200
Triassic 251
Permian 299
Devonian 416
Silurian 444
Ordovician 488
Cambrian 542
bacteria and
Proterozoic blue green 2500
algae
Precambria
n
Archean oldest fossil 3800
The table represents the divisions of the geologic time in Earth’s history are
separated into eons, periods, and epochs. The Earth’s age which is 4.6 billion
years was separated into different span of time to handily indicate the events.
EONS
are the longest portions in the geologic time.
Paleozoic Era
Hadean Eon It is the beginning of early
Few rocks were deformed life.
and metamorphosed. All of the continents had
come together to form the
Archaean Eon supercontinent called
Marine rocks contain Pangea.
fossil remains of It is characterized by rapid
microscopic algae and development of terrestrial
bacteria plants.
Devonian period is known
as the age of fishes.
Proterozoic Eon
rifting of the continental Mesozoic Era
crust It is also known as the
subsequent filling with Age of Dinosaurs.
sedimentary and Pangea rifted into
volcanic rocks Laurasia and
Gondwanaland.
Cenozoic Era
It is also known as the age
of recent life or age of
mammals.
It has the most complete
record of any era because
the rocks are more
accessible.
Cenozoic Era
There are three periods in this
era: Quaternary, Paleogene
and Neogene.
Quaternary Period
It is the most recent period.
It is also termed Anthropogene
period.
It is divided into two epochs:
Pleistocene and Holocene.
Holocene - when human
civilization arose.
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Scientists first developed the geologic time scale by studying rock layers and
index fossils. The information gathered by the scientists placed the Earth rock
strata in order by relative age. Geologic time is often discussed in two forms:
relative time and the absolute time.
Relative time is a subdivision of the Earth’s geology in a specific order based
upon the relative age relationships (commonly, vertical or stratigraphic position).
These relative time can be established usually on the basis of fossils. On the
other hand, absolute time refers to the numerical ages in millions of years or
some other measurement. These are obtained by radioactive dating methods
performed on appropriate rocks.
Relative time can be referred to as its physical aspects found in rocks while the
absolute time refers to the measurements taken upon those to determine the
actual time it expired. The time scale is depicted in its traditional form with the
oldest at the bottom and the youngest at the top.
What’s More
1. Fill in the data table to show the number of millions of years each era
lasted based on relative and absolute dating. Choose your answer from
the given choices below.
a. 4.048 mya c. 299 mya e. 4,600mya
b. 69 mya d. 184mya
The Divisions of Percent Millions of years
Geologic Time
The Age of the Earth 100%
A. Cenozoic Era 1.5%
B. Mesozoic Era 4%
C. Paleozoic Era 6.5%
D. Precambrian Time 88%
Guide Questions:
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Complete the timeline of the geologic time scale starting from the oldest to
recent time. Indicate each division and year.Use the data table in Activity 1.1 as
reference.
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10
Identify the term being described by the given statement.Select your answer
from the word pool below.
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A. Fossil
Shows changes in
life and the
environment
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D. Absolute Dating
Things to Ponder
Geologic time scale is a timeline that illustrates Earth’s past.
Geologic time scale describes the order of duration of major events on Earth
for the last 4.6 billion years.
Geologic time scale was developed after the scientist observed changes in
the fossils and rocks going from oldest to youngest sedimentary rocks.
Geologic time scale was divided into four divisions which include the Eons,
Era, Period, and Epoch.
Eons is the largest division in the geologic time scale.
Relative dating or age is the order of the rocks from oldest to youngest.
Relative dating does not determine the exact age of rock or fossils but does
learn which one is older or younger than the other.
Relative age of rocks based on the order gives its physical division in the
geologic time scale.
Absolute dating or age measures the amount of radioactive elements in rocks
to give the ages to each division of time in the geologic time scale.
Absolute time refers to the numerical ages in millions of years or some other
measurement.
What I Can Do
Make a diary noting the important events that happened in your life for the day
which you can associate with the geologic time scale.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
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Assessment
Directions: Read each statement and choose the letter of the correct answer.
Shade the circle that corresponds to the correct answer.
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8. What will be the sequence of division in the geologic time scale, if the order
of position is from shortest to longest?
A. era, period, epoch
B. epoch, period, era
C. period, epoch, era
D. epoch, era, period
10. In which division in the geologic time scale did the continents come
together
to form the supercontinent called Pangaea?
A. Paleozoic Era
B. Cenozoic Era
C. Triassic Period
D. Jurassic Period
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12. Which epoch in the geologic time scale represents human lives in a very
short period of time?
A. Eocene
B. Pliocene
C. Holocene
D. Pleistocene
13. Why are fossils recorded in the geologic time scale said to be incomplete?
A. Remains of past organism decayed faster.
B. Absence of tools to be used for tracing.
C. Most organisms never became fossils.
D. All of the above
14. In what way does the geologic time scale place Earth’s rock in order?
A. by composition
B. by relative dating
C. by absolute dating
D. by decades and centuries
15. What makes fossil essential to the scientists and to the history of the
Earth?
A. It analyzes the composition of sedimentary rock
B. It predicts what organisms will become extinct.
C. It describes the history of past life and environment.
D. It presents temperature of the oceans in different depths.
Additional Activities
Create your own representation of geologic time scale on rocks indicating the
relative and absolute dating. Use discarded material in your output.
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Answer Key
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What's More
Activity 1.4 What's More
Assessment What's More
1.Geologic Time Scale Activity 1.3
1. D 11.B -timeline that illustrates Activity 2
2. B 12.C Earth’s past 1.1.Geologic
Precambrian
records
3. C 13. D Characteristics 2. Paleozoic
2. Absolute dating
4. B 14.B -divided into 3. Mesozoic
5. B 15.C 3. Eons
eons,era,period,epoch 4. Cenozoic
6. B 4. Sedimentary
- uses the relative and 5. Recent time
7. C 5.6.Relative dating
4.048mya
absolute dating
8. B 6. Dinosaurs
7. 299mya
2. Relate dating
9. A 8. 7.184mya
Paleozoic
-gives relative age of rocks
10.A 9. 8.69mya
Holocene
Characterisctics; 9. Devonian
10. 4600mya
Uses the position of rocks 10. Archaean
-follows the law of
stratigraphy
3. Absolute Dating
-gives the numeric age of
rocks
What's More
Activity1.1 Its a Date
1.E
2.A
3.B
4.D
5. C
Answer:
1.D
2.A
3.B
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References
All About Creation. “Relative Dating.” Accessed February 24,2019.
https://www.allaboutcreation.org/relative-dating-faq.html
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