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Geologists often use relative dating. When a fossil is found in a rock layer that has been dated, they know the age. If the fossil is found between two dated rock layers, they have an approximate age. If it's found above a dated layer, than it's younger, and vice versa.
To date a layer of rock, radiometric dating is used. This measures the trace amount of a radioactive isotope, such as a uranium isotope or potassium isotope, which is then compared to its decay product, lead or argon, respectively, for these examples. More decay product and less of the original isotope means the layer is older, and vice versa.
Index fossils can also be used. These are common fossils with a wide distribution that only existed for a short time. Then, when these are found in a rock layer, it is known that the rock layer formed when that organism existed.
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∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoGeologists can either use relative dating in which they relate the position of the fossils they found in strata to other substances found in other layers of the earth's crust, for which they know the date. There is also absolute dating in which geologists use "radioactive dating" to determine the absolute age of fossils or any specimen they wish to date.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoThe test that geologist use to discover the age of fossils is called radiometric age-dating. This test makes use of radioactive elements.
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How do fossils help geologists?
Fossils help geologists discover new species. Fossils also explain and show the age of the specimen and change in life forms.
What do geologists use to determine the relative ages of a rock?
Relative dating refers to the process of determining the age of a rock, feature, or fossil by comparing it to the rocks around it. To use relative dating, you need to look at the order each rock layer was deposited.
How is the absolute age of the fossil different from the relative age?
Absolute age is the definite age of a fossil, while relative age is an estimated age according to the sediments and other fossils around the fossil.
If the relative age of a fossil is known what else is known?
The age of rock surrounding the fossil.
What is the principle that helps geologists determine the age of rocks that are separated by distance?
original horizontality
Geologists used it to discover the age of fossil?
Carbon-14. An isotope of Carbon-12 that is used in a process called "Carbon Dating".
How do geologists use fossils to determine rocks age what are this fossils called?
they find the hard part of the fossil
How do fossils help geologists?
Fossils help geologists discover new species. Fossils also explain and show the age of the specimen and change in life forms.
What is the word for the remains or an impression of a plant or animal that existed in a past geologists age and that has been excavated from the soil?
That would be a fossil.
How can fossil correlation be used to determine the ages of rock layer?
dont care
What do geologists use to determine the relative ages of a rock?
Relative dating refers to the process of determining the age of a rock, feature, or fossil by comparing it to the rocks around it. To use relative dating, you need to look at the order each rock layer was deposited.
How is the absolute age of the fossil different from the relative age?
Absolute age is the definite age of a fossil, while relative age is an estimated age according to the sediments and other fossils around the fossil.
If the relative age of a fossil is known what else is known?
The age of rock surrounding the fossil.
Why are index useful to geologists?
they tell the absoute age of rcoks which they occur
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.
How scientists estimate the age in years of a fossil?
Scientists can use carbon dating to determine the age of a fossil.
How does a geologist determine absolute age?
Geologists determine absolute age of rocks by using radioactive dating.
