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It is determined because in layers of rocks the fossils are found so the layers of rocks give information to the scientist about the age of a fossil so like that the relative age of a fossil is determined.

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10y ago
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15y ago

The relative ages of rock layers are determined by the presence of certain index fossils, common only to a specific geologic time period. The age of the rock layers that contain these index fossils have already been accurately dated by radiometric means, meaning that the discovery of the fossil in a particular rock will give a general range of the age.

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16y ago

Mainly the fossil evidence. Chemical analysis to some degree.

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Q: How the relative age of a fossil is determined by studying layers of rock?
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Related questions

Could you tell the relative age of a fossil if layers of rock have been shifted by earthquake?

it cool


Could you tell the relative age of a fossil if layers of rock have been shifted by earthquakes?

yes


Which is an example of relative dating?

One example of relative dating is studying the layers of rock in a particular area. By analyzing the sequence of rock layers and the fossils within them, scientists can determine the relative ages of the rocks and the fossils they contain.


A geologist is studying layers of rock He finds a fossil with an imprint of a shelled animal According to the law of faunal and floral succession what kind of fossil would he most likely find next?

A geologist is studying layers of rock He finds a fossil with an imprint of a shelled animal According to the law of faunal and floral succession what kind of fossil would he most likely find next is a fossil of fishes.


Why can relative dating be used only to estimate the age of a fossil?

by comparing its placement with that of fossils in other layers of rock


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.


How did scientists determine Earth has layers?

Scientists determined that the Earth has layers through studying how seismic waves travel. These seismic waves differed depending on how thick the layer was.


How do scientists use sedimentary rock to determine a fossils relative age?

Scientists use sedimentary rock to determine a fossil relative age by studying the rock.


Which characteristics of a fossil would you make it useful as an index fossil in determining the relative age of widely separated rock layers?

C). a narrow time range and a wide geographic range


What does relative dating mean?

Relative dating is a method used in geology to determine the age of rock layers or fossils in relation to each other. It does not provide specific numerical ages, but instead establishes a sequence of events based on the principles of superposition, original horizontality, and cross-cutting relationships. This method helps scientists understand the relative timing of geologic events.


What is the method of determining whether a fossil is older or younger than other fossils found in the many layers of sedimentary rock is called what?

relative dating


The term for dating fossils based on the relative positions of different rock layers is?

Ether the principle of superposition(also called the law of superposition- concept that the layer of sediment that is deepest is the oldest) or stratigraphy which is the study of layers, when using knowledge of when certain species existed and remains of those species while also studying the layers it is called biostratigraphy.