SOL Prep

History and Evolution of Earth and Life

Virginia SOL ES.9

Investigate and understand aspects of Earth's history and evolution through rocks and fossils.

Study ES.9 with SOL PrepBack to Earth Science I

What students need to be able to do

  • Identify traces and remains of ancient, often extinct, life preserved in sedimentary rocks.
  • Apply superposition, cross-cutting relationships, index fossils, and radioactive decay as methods of dating rocks and Earth events.
  • Compare absolute (radiometric) and relative dating methods and their applications.
  • Identify rocks and fossils from different geologic periods and epochs found in Virginia.