Topics include:

1.) The geologic timeline- page 8-9 of your reference table (always use it as one chart!)- infering the age of appearence and extinction of different groups of organisms, index fossils, geologic events, changes to our atmosphere, mass extinctions.  Be able to locate time intervals that have a full or partial rock record in NYS, or which time periods we are compeltely missing (due to unconformities)

2.) NYS geology- pg. 2 and 3 of the regerence table- be able to locate specific regions (pg. 2 of esrt) or locations (cities) where one one find specific aged bedrock containing index fossils found in page 8-9 of the ESRT

3.) Relative dating- be able to interpret the geologic history of a rock sequence/outcrop using the principles outlined in your note packet (like the principle of superposition). This involves stating which layer/event came first (is the oldest) and which layer/event came last (is the yougnest)- keep in mind unocnformities exist in real life (and in the regents questions)

4.) Correlation- an extension of relative dating- we can use multiple rock outcrops and compare the sequencing and/or the presence of index fossils and ash to "match" rock layers to give a better understanding of the relative geologic history. 

5.) Absolute dating-Radioactive decay (how we get numerical ages on rocks/fossils).- be able to use information from pg. 1 of your esrt to infer/calculate the age of a fossil/rock using percentages, fractions, or quantitiative amounts of radioactive substances (parents) vs. the stable isotopes (daughters) in a sample.  Be able to interpret graphs which depict radioactive decay over time.  Know the dating range that is useful for C-14. Know why this method is consistant with time