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If a lava flow or bed of volcanic ash was dated using isotopic dating methods and fossils were found in a sedimentary rock beneath the volcanic rock, it can be surmised that the fossils were older than the lava or ash. If the same species of fossils were found in another part of the world it would make sense that the rocks there were the same age as previous fossils. By cross checking with many other areas with other volcanic rocks, it can be found that all the rocks around the world containing those fossils were of a similar age.

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Dating technique involving compraring fossils in rock layers?

Relative dating-comparing fossils related to how old other fossils are in the same sample of rock. If the rock has been undisturbed, the oldest rock will be at the bottom, therefore, the oldest fossils will also be at the bottom. the youngest rock will be at the top, therefore, the youngest fossils will be at the top. Absolute Dating-When you can figure out through testing the exact age of the fossil


What are index fossils and how are they used to determine the absolute age of sedimentary rock?

Index fossils can be used to help determine the relative age of rock layers. Index fossils are from species that only existed for a short time. Index fossils are found in rock layers. Trilobites and Graptolites are index fossils.


How index fossils can be used to determine the age of rocks?

Index fossils are used to date rocks by correlating the fossils found in the rock layers with known ages of those fossils. Index fossils are distinctive, widespread, and lived for a relatively short period of time. By identifying these fossils in a rock layer, scientists can infer the age of the rock based on the age range of the known fossil.


What are relative fossils?

Answer: The age of a rock compared to the ages of the rock layers.


How fossils can be used to determine the absolute and relative age of a sedimentary rock layer?

Perhaps by carbon dating and by comparing with the evolution and dominance of various organisms in the geological time scale.


What are index fossil and how are they used to determined the absolute age of sedimentary rock?

Index fossils can be used to help determine the relative age of rock layers. Index fossils are from species that only existed for a short time. Index fossils are found in rock layers. Trilobites and Graptolites are index fossils.


Why are index fossils useful for figure out the age of a set of disturbed rock layers?

index fossils are useful for figuring out the age of a set of disturbed rock layers by index fossils are used to determine when rock layers were formed so if they were used to figure out the age of a set of disturbed rock layers than they can also figure out when they were formed .


How are fossils related to rock forming envitonments?

they mate with eachother


What are index fossils and how are they used to determine the absolute age of sedimentary rocks?

Index fossils can be used to help determine the relative age of rock layers. Index fossils are from species that only existed for a short time. Index fossils are found in rock layers. Trilobites and Graptolites are index fossils.


How do geologists use fossils to determine rocks age what are this fossils called?

Geologists use fossils to determine the age of rocks through a process called biostratigraphy. They identify the specific group of fossils present in the rock layer, known as index fossils, that have a known age range. By comparing the index fossils to a geological time scale, geologists can estimate the age of the rock layer.


How can you use fossils and geologic features interpret the relative age of rock layers?

Fossils can be used to determine the relative age of rock layers by comparing the types of fossils found in different layers. Fossils of organisms that existed for a short period of time can be used to date layers of rock containing them. Geologic features such as fault lines and unconformities can also help determine the relative age of rock layers by showing where layers have been disturbed or eroded.


How do sedimentary rock layers provide clues to a fossil age?

because fossils are in sedimentary rock