Earth Science II Advanced Survey · Geological and Biological Events in Earth's History
Virginia SOL ESII.4
Virginia SOL ESII.4 is part of the Geological and Biological Events in Earth's History strand in Earth Science II Advanced Survey (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students investigate and understand that major geological and biological events are recorded in rocks and fossils. Below is what ESII.4 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice ESII.4 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL ESII.4 means
Investigate and understand that major geological and biological events are recorded in rocks and fossils.
Skills you’ll practice for ESII.4
- Make, support, and evaluate a claim about the age of Earth.
- Make, support, and evaluate a claim about the use of different radioactive isotopes for absolute dating of rock and/or fossils for a location.
- Analyze the major geologic and biological events in Earth's history in terms of the scale, proportion, and quantity and determine the significance.
- Make, support, and evaluate a claim about the coevolution of Earth's systems (hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere).
- Explain the geological events of a region based on correlating rock strata with and without fossils from different locations within a region.
- Make, support, and evaluate a claim using a variety of sources (rocks, fossil records, and geologic maps) about how changes to climate and ecosystems in Earth's history affected life.
- Develop and use a timeline to interpret the geologic history of Virginia based on evidence.
Key concepts covered by ESII.4
- Earth age determination
- geological dating
- claim evaluation
- radioactive isotopes
- absolute dating
- rock dating
- fossil dating
- geological event analysis
- biological event analysis
- scale analysis
- proportion analysis
- Earth system coevolution
- hydrosphere
- lithosphere
- atmosphere
- biosphere
- rock strata correlation
- fossil correlation
- regional geology
- stratigraphic analysis
- climate change impact
- ecosystem change impact
- fossil records
- geologic maps
- geologic timeline
- Virginia geology
- stratigraphic evidence
- timeline development
How to study and practice SOL ESII.4
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether ESII.4 is already solid, then work each skill above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide and how to study for the SOL test.
Frequently asked questions about SOL ESII.4
What is Virginia SOL ESII.4?
SOL ESII.4 is a Earth Science II Advanced Survey Standard of Learning in the Geological and Biological Events in Earth's History strand. It expects students to investigate and understand that major geological and biological events are recorded in rocks and fossils.
What skills does SOL ESII.4 cover?
SOL ESII.4 is assessed on 7 skills: make, support, and evaluate a claim about the age of Earth; make, support, and evaluate a claim about the use of different radioactive isotopes for absolute dating of rock and/or fossils for a location; analyze the major geologic and biological events in Earth's history in terms of the scale, proportion, and quantity and determine the significance; make, support, and evaluate a claim about the coevolution of Earth's systems (hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere); explain the geological events of a region based on correlating rock strata with and without fossils from different locations within a region; make, support, and evaluate a claim using a variety of sources (rocks, fossil records, and geologic maps) about how changes to climate and ecosystems in Earth's history affected life; develop and use a timeline to interpret the geologic history of Virginia based on evidence.
What strand of Earth Science II Advanced Survey is SOL ESII.4 in?
SOL ESII.4 belongs to the Geological and Biological Events in Earth's History reporting strand of the Earth Science II Advanced Survey Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL ESII.4?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether ESII.4 is already solid, then work the 7 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.