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What are index fossils useful for?

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Anonymous

11y ago
Updated: 10/12/2022

Because organisms that became index fossils lived only during specific intervals of geologic time, geologists can estimate the ages of rock layers based on the particular index fossils they contain.

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Obie Ondricka

Lvl 13
2y ago

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Related Questions

What fossils are useful in determining the relative age of rocks?

Index fossils


Why are index fossils are more useful to paleontologists than many other fossils?

im trying to figure that out myself


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 .


Why are index fossils more useful then other fossils to paleontologist?

Index fossils are useful to paleontologists because they are easily recognizable, widespread, and existed for a relatively short period of time. This allows scientists to date the rock layers in which they are found, helping to establish the relative ages of different strata. Additionally, index fossils help correlate rock layers from different locations, aiding in the reconstruction of Earth's history.


Why are the Eurypterids in these cross sections not useful as index fossils?

The Eurypterids in these cross sections not useful as index fossil because they are only found in certain areas are a long lived organism


Why are index fossils so important to geologists?

Index fossils are very important to geologists because they identify geological time periods. Index fossils are found within a specific layer of rock- So when one finds the age of the rock layer, that is also the age of the index fossil.


Would horseshoe crabs be useful as index fossils?

No because they have been alive for a very long time


How are index fossils useful to geologist?

Index fossils provide a reference of time throughout rock layers. In order to be a good index fossil, the life form must have lived for a short and specific amount of time and must have existed over a large area. Index fossils serve as a reference to geologists in correlating rock layers. They can match up (or correlate) the index fossils which helps them match up (or correlate) the rock layers.


What is a fossil used to date surrounding rock layers called?

A fossil used to date surrounding rock layers is called a index fossil. Index fossils are particularly useful for determining the relative ages of rock layers in different locations.


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.


Are index fossils the remains of species that existed on earth for relatively short periods of time?

Yes, index fossils are the remains of species that lived for short periods of time geologically. They are useful for dating and correlating the age of rock layers.


Why did scientists use trilobites as index fossils?

Scientists used trilobites as index fossils because they were abundant, had a wide distribution, and had a relatively short existence in the fossil record. This made them useful for correlating rock layers from different locations and determining the relative ages of the rocks.