what is being used by scientists to organize earths history
A. fossil record
B. layers of rock
C. geologic time scale (GTS)
D. mass extinctions
C. geologic time scale (GTS)
C. geologic time scale (GTS) is used by scientists to organize Earth's history. The GTS divides the Earth's history into various time periods, such as the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras, and further breaks them down into epochs and ages. This framework helps scientists understand the sequence of events and the relative timing of geological and biological phenomena throughout Earth's history. The fossil record, layers of rock, and mass extinctions are all important sources of information that contribute to the construction and refinement of the geologic time scale.
The answer to this question is C. geologic time scale (GTS). Scientists use the geologic time scale to organize Earth's history.
To understand why the geologic time scale is used, let's briefly explain each of the options provided:
A. fossil record: The fossil record refers to the collection of all the preserved evidence of ancient life, such as skeletal remains, imprints, or tracks. While the fossil record is an essential piece of evidence for studying Earth's history, it is not primarily used to organize or categorize that history.
B. layers of rock: Layers of rock, also known as sedimentary strata, are used in stratigraphy, the study of rock layers. They can provide valuable information about the sequence of events and the different periods of time they represent. However, they are not solely used to organize Earth's history.
C. geologic time scale (GTS): The geologic time scale is a scientific timeline that divides Earth's history into major eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages. It organizes Earth's history based on significant changes in the rock record, such as changes in fossils, climate, or geological events. It provides an essential framework for understanding and comparing various geological and biological events throughout history.
D. mass extinctions: Mass extinctions are periods in Earth's history when a significant number of species go extinct within a relatively short span of time. While mass extinctions are significant events in Earth's history, they are not used to specifically organize or categorize the entire history.
Therefore, the correct answer is C. geologic time scale (GTS). Scientists use the geologic time scale to categorize and organize Earth's history based on significant geological and biological changes that have occurred over time.