Geological Scale

1. The study of sediment layers
4. Commonly known as cave formations
5. The science of exploration and study of all aspects of caves and the environment surrounding those caves
6. The largest divisions in the geologic time scale
10. Era that began about 66 million years ago and is the current era
11. Era that started around 252 million years ago and is called the "Age of Dinosaurs"

2. Era that began around 541 million years ago and lasted about 290 million years. Known as the "Age of Invertebrates"
3. The second-largest subdivisions in the geological time scale
4. When a mineral deposit drops onto the floor and builds upward
5. When a mineral deposit is left on the cave ceiling and slowly builds down over time
7. Smaller divisions within periods
8. When forces responsible for sediment transportation can no longer overcome the forces of the particle's weight and friction
9. When stalactites and stalagmites grow and contact each other
12. A layer of sedimentary rock that has characteristics different from other layers