Earth Science II Geology · Geological and Biological Events in Earth's History
Virginia SOL GEO.4
Virginia SOL GEO.4 is part of the Geological and Biological Events in Earth's History strand in Earth Science II Geology (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students investigate major geological and biological events evident in rocks and fossils. Below is what GEO.4 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice GEO.4 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL GEO.4 means
Investigate major geological and biological events evident in rocks and fossils.
Skills you’ll practice for GEO.4
- Make, support, and evaluate a claim about the age of Earth.
- Make, support, and evaluate a claim about which radioactive isotope could be used to date a location.
- Explain the significance of major geologic and biological events in Earth's history.
- Make, support, and evaluate a claim about the coevolution of Earth's systems (hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere).
- Make, support, and evaluate a claim about how changes to ecosystem dynamics may have led to extinction.
- Infer geological events of a region based on correlating rock strata with and without fossils from different locations.
- Make, support, and evaluate a claim about climate changes in Earth's history.
- Make, support, and evaluate a claim about the geologic history of Virginia and areas around the globe.
Key concepts covered by GEO.4
- geologic time
- radiometric dating
- age of Earth
- claim evaluation
- isotope selection
- half-life
- geologic dating
- geologic events
- biological events
- mass extinction
- evolution
- geologic time scale
- Earth systems
- coevolution
- hydrosphere
- lithosphere
- atmosphere
- biosphere
- ecosystem dynamics
- extinction
- environmental change
- stratigraphic correlation
- fossil record
- relative dating
- paleoclimatology
- climate change
- geologic record
- Virginia geology
- global geology
- geologic history
How to study and practice SOL GEO.4
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether GEO.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 GEO.4
What is Virginia SOL GEO.4?
SOL GEO.4 is a Earth Science II Geology Standard of Learning in the Geological and Biological Events in Earth's History strand. It expects students to investigate major geological and biological events evident in rocks and fossils.
What skills does SOL GEO.4 cover?
SOL GEO.4 is assessed on 8 skills: make, support, and evaluate a claim about the age of Earth; make, support, and evaluate a claim about which radioactive isotope could be used to date a location; explain the significance of major geologic and biological events in Earth's history; make, support, and evaluate a claim about the coevolution of Earth's systems (hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere); make, support, and evaluate a claim about how changes to ecosystem dynamics may have led to extinction; infer geological events of a region based on correlating rock strata with and without fossils from different locations; make, support, and evaluate a claim about climate changes in Earth's history; make, support, and evaluate a claim about the geologic history of Virginia and areas around the globe.
What strand of Earth Science II Geology is SOL GEO.4 in?
SOL GEO.4 belongs to the Geological and Biological Events in Earth's History reporting strand of the Earth Science II Geology Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL GEO.4?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether GEO.4 is already solid, then work the 8 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.