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An index fossil must be of a rapidly evolving organism that only existed for a specific period of time, is easily recognizable, is abundantly preserved, and was widespread geographically. Most index fossils are therefore of marine organisms.

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12y ago
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12y ago

A index fossil must:

-existed in a short period of time

-they must be widespread as in they can be found in many different places

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11y ago

carbon dating!

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Q: What criteria are used to identify index fossils?
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What are the three criteria that must be met in order for a fossil to be considered an index fossil?

An index fossil is organisms that is a signature for certain geographical eras. Index fossils are a charting of time that is used to describe other organisms found in that time era. The fossils were found in the stones that are determinations by carbon indexing and therefore are index fossils.


Fossil used to compare the relative ages of fossils?

index fossils


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.


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 are index fossils different from original fossil remains?

Index fossils are original fossil remains, just a specific subcategory of them. Index fossils are used by paleontologists to identify a particular period of time and often a subperiod of time - the specific fossil is chosen as an index fossil because it is very specific to a time period and allows the other fossils and remains around them to be identified to the same time period.


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.


What is the importance of index fossils?

Index fossils are the fossils of short-lived species which, because of their short lives, can be used by scientists to identify the age of the rock strata in which they're found. (For example, if you know a certain species only lived in the Cambrian period, and you find some fossils of this species in some rock, then you know the other fossils you find in that rock must also have come from the Cambrian period.) Some examples of species that left behind index fossils, and their related historical periods, are:Billingsella corrugagta - Cambrian period, Palaeozoic eraCactocrinus multibrachiatus - Mississippian period, Palaeozoic eraScaphites hippocrepia - Cretaceous period, Mesozoic eraNeptunea tabulata - Quarternary period, Cenozoic eraSee the links below for more examples and info.


What are plant and animals that remain used to define and identify geologic periods?

lol, I was just on this question and got it wrong. the right answer is Index Fossils


Can carbon dating be used to identify the age of index fossils?

No. Carbon dating is only effective for time periods less than 70,000 years. This excludes all the major index fossils, and is a very short geologic time span. Index fossils can be dated, however by their association in the geologic column with metamorphic and igneous rocks, which can be radiometrically dated.


What happened to the species that are now used as index fossils?

they are used


How are fossils used in determining the age of the Earth?

Index


What happened to the species that are now as index fossils?

they are used