When happened what? Putting sequences in order using stratigraphy
Characters:
Theme: Geologic time
Competencies
Mathematical competence in science, technology and engineering
Citizen Competition
Subjects and year by Educational System
Spain > Biology and geology > 4th ESO > Geology
Enunciation
Sudden or extended changes in climate have been the trigger for five massive extinctions throughout Earth's history. Carmina Virgili, a geologist, became highly interested in one of them: the Triassic-Permian extinction, which caused the extinction of 96% of species 250 million years ago.
She was an expert on Triassic-Permian stratigraphy, an agitated era with many changes.
How did she do it?
She used the fundamental concepts and methods that geologists use to sequence geological events such as the following:
1.- Principle or law?
Complete the following table by indicating if each statement about a stratigraphic sequence is a "Principle" or a "Law".
:
| Sedimentary sequenc | Principle or law? | |
|
Principle It usually happens |
Law It always happens |
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Superposition of strata – "the top layer is the youngest one". |
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Cross-cutting relationships – "any feature that cuts across another feature, has to be younger". |
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Inclusions – "a feature that is included in another, must be older than the feature that contains it". |
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2.- Applying the principles
Apply the principles to find out the temporal relationships in:
· A map.
Observations and context
Working in the science field was not easy for women in the mid-20th century in Spain. However, more than one has led the way with important scientific contributions in an essentially male environments such as science. In Geology, Carmina Virgili stands out, but in other scientific areas it is the case of other women such as the oceanographist Josefina Castellví, doctor and scholar Carmen Maroto, the mathematician Griselda Pascual or the biochemist Margarita Salas.
Although only the work of a few has been recognised, all of the women who worked during these years were true pioneers.
Description
Activity to learn and apply the fundamental principles of geology in order to assign a relative date to geological events.
