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The geological time periods shown on the chart differ in duration because the time periods reflect A - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 36 - 2014 - Paper 1
Question 36
The geological time periods shown on the chart differ in duration because the time periods reflect A. the diversity of fossils and mass extinction events. B. the abs... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The geological time periods shown on the chart differ in duration because the time periods reflect A - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 36 - 2014 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. the diversity of fossils and mass extinction events.
Answer
The geological time periods vary significantly due to the diversity of fossils discovered within those periods and the significant mass extinction events that occurred. These events can mark dramatic shifts in biodiversity, leading to longer or shorter geological durations based on the fossil record.
Step 2
B. the absence of trilobite fossils in the Late Cambrian period.
Answer
While the absence of trilobite fossils may indeed indicate certain ecological conditions, it is not the primary reason for the variation in geological time periods. Instead, it is a more localized factor not affecting the broader geological scale.
Step 3
C. different rates of radioactive decay.
Answer
Different rates of radioactive decay are not the underlying reason for the variation in geological time periods as these are consistent for a given isotope. While decay rates are important in radiometric dating, they do not directly influence the length of geological time frames.
Step 4
D. different rates of fossilisation.
Answer
Different rates of fossilisation can impact the fossil record locally, but this variability does not account for the broader geologic periods which are influenced by a multitude of factors including mass extinction events and evolutionary diversification.