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62.2: Fossil identification and use in correlation, part 2

  • Page ID
    23155
    • Callan Bentley, Karen Layou, Russ Kohrs, Shelley Jaye, Matt Affolter, and Brian Ricketts
    • OpenGeology

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    Fake Field Trip: Fossil correlation exercise

    Now that you’ve learned to recognize the various fossils in this VFE in part 1, it’s time to apply your new knowledge to a hypothetical region.

    Part 2: On the basis of their fossil content, figure out the geologic ages of the strata in this cross section. The cross section shows the position and relation of the various geologic units, “A” through “H,” as well as the unconformities that separate some of them (“1” through “4”). Links appear below the cross section that will allow you to examine fossils from each geologic unit.

    Cartoon geologic cross-section through a hypothetical region with several sedimentary layers (geologic units). At the bottom, there are tilted layers of unit "A." Atop that is unconformity "1" with unit "B" atop that. Unit "B"'s upper surface is an disconformity, with the conformable sequence "C" at the bottom (deepest, oldest), then "D," and then "E" (shallowest, youngest) at the top. Another disconformity ("3") separates "E" from overlying unit "F," which is conformably overlain by unit "G." G has two distinct channels cut into its upper surface (disconformity "4"), and is overlain by "H," the youngest unit of all. The top of "H" has channels cut into it, and is the modern surface of the Earth.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Cartoon geological cross-section through a hypothetical region.
    Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\): Unit A fossils

    Two hand samples of the one kind of fossil found in Unit A:

    Age of Unit A: _______________

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\): Unit B fossils

    One sample of the one kind of fossil found in Unit B:

    Age of Unit B: _______________

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{3}\): Unit C fossils

    One sample of the one kind of fossil found in Unit C:

    Age of Unit C: _______________

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{4}\): Unit D fossils

    Three total fossils found in Unit D.

    First fossil:

    Second fossil (two outcrops):

    Third fossil (one outcrop and one sample):

    Age of Unit D: _______________

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{5}\): Unit E fossils

    One useful fossil found in Unit E (one outcrop and one sample of fossil-rich sediment from the site of the outcrop):

    Age of Unit E: _______________

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{6}\): Unit F fossils

    Three fossils found in Unit F.

    First fossil:

    Second fossil:

    Third fossil:

    Age of Unit F: _______________

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{7}\): Unit G fossils

    Two total fossils found in Unit G.

    First fossil (three specimens):

    Second fossil (one sample):

    Age of Unit G: _______________

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{8}\): Unit H fossils

    Here are two outcrops of Unit H. The view should load with the most useful fossil at the center of the view.

    Age of Unit H: _______________

    How much time is missing along unconformity “1?” ________________

    How much time is missing along unconformity “2?” ________________

    How much time is missing along unconformity “3?” ________________

    How much time is missing along unconformity “4?” ________________

    Back to “Part 1” fossil guide


    This page titled 62.2: Fossil identification and use in correlation, part 2 is shared under a CC BY-NC license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Callan Bentley, Karen Layou, Russ Kohrs, Shelley Jaye, Matt Affolter, and Brian Ricketts (OpenGeology) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.