The cause of the extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago is currently debated. Some attribute the extinction to volcanic activity while others attribute it to asteroid or comet impact. Two scientists offer conflicting viewpoints on the most probable cause of the mass extinction.

Scientist A

The extinction of dinosaurs was most likely caused by the impact of an asteroid or large comet. Unusually high levels of the rare metal iridium (found in extraterrestrial material) have been discovered in a layer of clay deposited at just the time of the extinction. In addition, this layer of clay contained quartz grains with a crystal structure that has been distorted by exceedingly high pressures (almost certainly caused by an impact). This colossal impact brought about a period of severe cooling that affected dinosaur eggs rather than adult dinosaurs. Small reptiles could survive by protecting their minute eggs in a variety of ways. However, there was no way for dinosaurs to protect their large eggs against a quickly-changing climate.

Scientist B

The extinction of dinosaurs was most likely caused by a volcanic outburst. In general, volcanic eruptions can have potent effects on climate. In 1815 the volcano Tambora in Indonesia erupted, spreading a pall of dust around the globe that resulted in killing frosts around Europe. The much larger eruption that formed the Deccan basalts about 65 million years ago would have caused a deeper and more prolonged cooling that directly affected adult dinosaurs. The rare metal iridium has been found both in active volcanoes and in a layer of clay deposited around the time of the dinosaur extinction. Therefore the dinosaurs were most likely affected by a massive volcanic eruption.

With which of the following statements are both scientists most likely to agree?

The cause of the extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago is currently debated. Some attribute the extinction to volcanic activity while others attribute it to asteroid or comet impact. Two scientists offer conflicting viewpoints on the most probable cause of the mass extinction.

Scientist A

The extinction of dinosaurs was most likely caused by the impact of an asteroid or large comet. Unusually high levels of the rare metal iridium (found in extraterrestrial material) have been discovered in a layer of clay deposited at just the time of the extinction. In addition, this layer of clay contained quartz grains with a crystal structure that has been distorted by exceedingly high pressures (almost certainly caused by an impact). This colossal impact brought about a period of severe cooling that affected dinosaur eggs rather than adult dinosaurs. Small reptiles could survive by protecting their minute eggs in a variety of ways. However, there was no way for dinosaurs to protect their large eggs against a quickly-changing climate.

Scientist B

The extinction of dinosaurs was most likely caused by a volcanic outburst. In general, volcanic eruptions can have potent effects on climate. In 1815 the volcano Tambora in Indonesia erupted, spreading a pall of dust around the globe that resulted in killing frosts around Europe. The much larger eruption that formed the Deccan basalts about 65 million years ago would have caused a deeper and more prolonged cooling that directly affected adult dinosaurs. The rare metal iridium has been found both in active volcanoes and in a layer of clay deposited around the time of the dinosaur extinction. Therefore the dinosaurs were most likely affected by a massive volcanic eruption.

According to Scientist A, which of the following animals was most likely able to survive the climate change 65 million years ago?

The cause of the extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago is currently debated. Some attribute the extinction to volcanic activity while others attribute it to asteroid or comet impact. Two scientists offer conflicting viewpoints on the most probable cause of the mass extinction.

Scientist A

The extinction of dinosaurs was most likely caused by the impact of an asteroid or large comet. Unusually high levels of the rare metal iridium (found in extraterrestrial material) have been discovered in a layer of clay deposited at just the time of the extinction. In addition, this layer of clay contained quartz grains with a crystal structure that has been distorted by exceedingly high pressures (almost certainly caused by an impact). This colossal impact brought about a period of severe cooling that affected dinosaur eggs rather than adult dinosaurs. Small reptiles could survive by protecting their minute eggs in a variety of ways. However, there was no way for dinosaurs to protect their large eggs against a quickly-changing climate.

Scientist B

The extinction of dinosaurs was most likely caused by a volcanic outburst. In general, volcanic eruptions can have potent effects on climate. In 1815 the volcano Tambora in Indonesia erupted, spreading a pall of dust around the globe that resulted in killing frosts around Europe. The much larger eruption that formed the Deccan basalts about 65 million years ago would have caused a deeper and more prolonged cooling that directly affected adult dinosaurs. The rare metal iridium has been found both in active volcanoes and in a layer of clay deposited around the time of the dinosaur extinction. Therefore the dinosaurs were most likely affected by a massive volcanic eruption.

Nowadays, various natural phenomena can produce clouds of dust that spread over large areas. Based on the information in the passage, Scientist B would most likely predict which of the following outcomes near these affected areas?

Scientists have recorded data in Region A, Region B, Region C and Region D. The data collected include the average daily temperature, the annual rainfall for the past year and the number of fresh water reservoirs. The scientists want to perform an experiment on wild life migration patterns. 

In which region should the scientist perform their wildlife migration experiment?

A scientist is studying the makeup of a crossection of the ground on a plot of land on the Pacific coast. The cross-section is as follows:

The line noted by the X marks earth that was on the surface approximately 20,000 years ago. The law of superposition states that, in cross-sections of the Earth's crust, layers that are closer to the center of the Earth are older than those that are farther away. 

Which layer(s) are older than 20,000 years?

A scientist is studying the makeup of a crossection of the ground on a plot of land on the Pacific coast. The cross-section is as follows:

The line noted by the X marks earth that was on the surface approximately 20,000 years ago. The law of superposition states that, in cross-sections of the Earth's crust, layers that are closer to the center of the Earth are older than those that are farther away. 

A sample is taken from point P and is analyzed. It is determined that the stone found at point P was at the surface of the Earth only 10,000 years ago. What conclusion can the scientist draw based on this information?

A scientist is studying the makeup of a crossection of the ground on a plot of land on the Pacific coast. The cross-section is as follows:

The line noted by the X marks earth that was on the surface approximately 20,000 years ago. The law of superposition states that, in cross-sections of the Earth's crust, layers that are closer to the center of the Earth are older than those that are farther away. 

An archaeologist hypothesizes that early humans inhabited this coastal region around 22,000 years ago. In which layer is the archaeologist most likely to find evidence to support his hypothesis?

One night there was a meteor shower and scientists in four different regions, A, B, C and D, observed and counted the number of meteors seen. The scientists noted the duration of the meteor shower and the visibility of the stars. 

How does the visibility of the night sky impact the number of meteors observed? 

Explorers have discovered a new planet, Planet K. It is known that Planet K has magnetic poles to similar to those of Earth, so the explorers decide that using a compass to navigate is possible. When navigating Planet K's surface, it is discovered that the compass points north for a distance then flips so that it points north in the opposite direction for a distance, before returning to pointing north in the original direction. It is known that the magnetic poles of the planet flip every 100 years. Weather is recorded on the planet for 250 years. 

Why does the explorer's compass flip the north pole depending upon distance traveled? 

Scientist 1: This scientist asserts that drilling for oil should be performed in the ocean. Scientist 1 claims that in the ocean, the oil is at a shorter depth below the Earth’s surface than on dry land. The shorter drilling depth is more ideal for access by drills.

Scientist 2: Scientist 2 believes that drilling for oil should be performed on dry land and not underwater. This is due to the fact that water is at a higher pressure than is observed on the surface of Earth. Scientist 2 asserts that drilling at the lower pressure will be less likely to damage the equipment resulting in an unsuccessful event.

Experiment: The scientists conduct various experiments. The data that the scientists collect indicates the depth at which it is necessary to drill on land and in the ocean in order to reach. The other data that the scientist collect is on the pressure that the equipment will need to experience while drilling for oil at each location.

If a third option was present for drilling on a coastal region that allows for the short drilling depth and for drilling to be done on land, which scientist would support drilling at this location?