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Stratigraphic layers can be used to determine the age of a fossil in a simple manner. The layers towards the top of an outcrop are younger (Law of Superposition and Law of Original Horizontality) and the layers near the bottom are older. If a fossil is found in a lower layer then that fossil is older than any fossils found in the higher up layers.

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What kind of rock layers did index fossil date?

index fossils are used to date the rock layers they are found incc


How are sedimentary rock layers used be scientists to learn about the past?

plant and animal fossils are most often found in layers of sedimentary rocks


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.


Fossils that can be used to establish relative dates are most likely to be found in?

Sedimentary rocks, which form in layers over time, are most likely to contain fossils that can be used to establish relative dates. Fossils found in these rocks provide a record of the organisms that lived at specific times in Earth's history, allowing scientists to determine the relative age 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.


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.


How are sedimentary rock used by scientists to learn about the past?

Sedimentary rock layers are used by scientist help learn by the texture and shapes


Why is geologic column an example of circular reasoning?

The geologic column is considered an example of circular reasoning because the ages of the rock layers are primarily determined by the fossils they contain, and the ages of the fossils are determined by the rock layers they are found in. This creates a circular argument where the age of the rocks is used to date the fossils, and the age of the fossils is used to date the rocks.


Fossil used to compare the relative ages of fossils?

Index fossils are used to compare the relative ages of fossils. These are fossils that are known to have lived during a specific time period, helping to date the rock layers in which they are found. By identifying and comparing index fossils, scientists can determine the relative ages of different rock layers and fossils.


Fossils that appear all over the world in certain rock layers are what?

Fossils that appear all over the world in particular rock layers are called index fossils. These fossils are used by scientists to correlate and date rock layers in different locations, providing insights into the Earth's geological history and past environments.