Cenozoic Era

Fly to “Moenkopi/Chinle Formation, Virgin Utah”. Two formations, the Moenkopi (Early-mid Triassic) and the Chinle (Late Triassic), make up the majority of Triassic deposits in the midwest. Explore the photos in the area and click the name of the placemark to see three images. The first rock sample is from the Moenkopi formation and is a very fine-grained clastic rock; the second is from the lower Chinle formation and is made of pebbles and cobbles.  What is the rock type sampled from the Moenkopi formation?

What well known event occurred at the end of the Cretaceous period?

Select the Global Paleogeographic Model folder. Double click to zoom out. Also select the placemark labeled “Question 30” and navigate to where it is in view. Toggle through the beginning of the Permian (~300 Mya) through its end (~250 Mya). What significant event happens at the placemark during this time?Tip: Check out Figure 11.11 in your book to help orient where the modern continents were at this time as you explore the model on Google Earth Pro. Mark all that apply.

What is a likely explanation for the changes we see in the fossil record (like at House Range) at this time?

What is the historical significance of this rock?

Precambrian Era

You calculated the age of the oldest preserved Earth material above, however, we know from dating meteorites that the Earth is 4.54 Ga. What was happening in that block of time to prevent material from being preserved?

Select the Global Paleogeographic Model folder. Double click to zoom out. Also select the placemark labeled “Question 39” and navigate to where it is in view. It represents the average location of North America during this time. Toggle through the end of the Triassic (~200 Mya) through the Jurassic (~140 Mya).What changes do we see? Mark all that apply.

Check the box next to “Marquette, Michigan”. Double click to fly there. Click on the placemark to view the outcrop seen at this location. This outcrop is dated 1.85 Ga.Identify this feature