answersLogoWhite

0

Index fossils are used to date rocks by correlating the fossils found in the rock layers with known ages of those fossils. Index fossils are distinctive, widespread, and lived for a relatively short period of time. By identifying these fossils in a rock layer, scientists can infer the age of the rock based on the age range of the known fossil.

User Avatar

AnswerBot

1y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Earth Science

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.


How do trace fossils differ from index fossils?

Trace fossils are any evidences that an organism existed, including footprints, trails, burrows, chemical marker, and fossilized dung.Index fossils are those that are only found in a specific range of geologic time, and are used to quickly determine the age of a sedimentary rock sample.


How can index fossils help us figure out how the continents used to be arranged?

Index fossils are used to correlate rocks of similar age in different locations. By studying index fossils found in rock layers from different continents, scientists can determine which layers are of similar age and potentially infer how these continents were once connected. This information helps in reconstructing past continental configurations, such as during the time of Pangea.


How can fossils be used to date rocks?

Geologists look for index fossils in the sedimentary rock to help determine its age. Index fossils are of organisms that were widespread and only existed during a specific slice of geologic time. Finding an index fossil in a rock means that the rock dates to that specific slice of time.


Can a gastropod be used as a index fossil?

Yes, gastropods can be used as index fossils because they have a wide range of species that have evolved over time. By studying the presence of specific gastropod species in the fossil record, scientists can determine the age of the rock layer in which they are found, helping to date other fossils and rocks in that area.

Related Questions

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.


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 used to determine?

Index fossils are used to determine the relative age of rock layers. By studying the presence of these distinct fossils in different layers of rock, geologists can identify the relative age of the rocks and correlate them with other rock layers in different locations.


Fossils such as trilobites that can be used to estabish the age of rocks are called?

I think they are called Index Fossils...


Can fossils be used to determine the relative ages of rocks layers?

fossils can be used to determine the relative age of rock layer by using the classification of fossils to find the relative ages of rocks in which fossils are found. :] hoped i helped you out.


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.


____ fossils are used to determine in what time in the past events occured?

Index


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.


What can be used to date fossils in rocks to give an approximate age?

The study of strata is called stratigraphy. Stratigraphy can be used to determine an approximate age of fossils in rocks.


Can be used to date fossils in rocks to give an approximate age.?

The study of strata is called stratigraphy. Stratigraphy can be used to determine an approximate age of fossils in rocks.


What can be used to date fossils in rocks to give an approximate age.?

The study of strata is called stratigraphy. Stratigraphy can be used to determine an approximate age of fossils in rocks.


How do trace fossils differ from index fossils?

Trace fossils are any evidences that an organism existed, including footprints, trails, burrows, chemical marker, and fossilized dung.Index fossils are those that are only found in a specific range of geologic time, and are used to quickly determine the age of a sedimentary rock sample.