answersLogoWhite

0

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.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Earth Science

What is an organism used to identify a specific geologic time period called?

An organism used to identify a specific geologic time period is called an index fossil. Index fossils are used by geologists to narrow down the age of rocks and sediment layers based on the known age range of the fossil species.


Which correctly lists the three elements that geologists measure to determine the age of an organism’s remains?

Geologists measure the amount of carbon-14 present, the ratio of parent isotopes to daughter isotopes in radioactive decay, and the layers of rock surrounding the fossil to determine the age of an organism's remains.


How do geologists use the location of a fossil to determine its possible age?

Fossils record the history of changes to life on Earth. All theinformation we have from fossils is called the FOSSIL RECORDThe fossil record is important because it shows what types of animalsand plants lived on Earth hundreds of millions of years ago. Thefossil record also shows how life has changed over time. If you look atexposed layers of sedimentary rock from bottom to top, the fossils arelike a series of snapshots of how life has changed on Earth, from thedistant past near the bottom to more recent times near the top.


How do fossils help geologists?

Geologists use fossils to interpret past environments, age rock layers, and understand the history of life on Earth. Fossils can provide information about the evolution of species, past climate conditions, and even the movement of continents over time. By studying fossils, geologists can reconstruct the Earth's history and better understand geological processes.


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.

Related Questions

Geologists used it to discover the age of fossil?

Geologists use a method called radiometric dating to determine the age of fossils. This technique measures the decay of radioactive isotopes in the fossil to calculate its age. By analyzing the ratio of parent isotopes to daughter isotopes present, geologists can estimate the age of the fossil.


A fossil that is found in the rock layers of only one geologic age and that is used to establish the age of the rock layers?

This fossil is called a index fossil. It is a species that is easily recognizable, widespread, and existed for a short period of time. By determining the age of the rock layer where the index fossil is found, geologists can establish the approximate age of the surrounding rocks.


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.


What can geologist learn from fossils?

Geologists can learn about the Earth's history, past environments, and changes in climate by studying fossils. Fossils provide evidence of how life has evolved over time and can help geologists understand the geological processes that have shaped the planet. They also help in dating rocks and determining the age of different geological formations.


How do geologists use fossils to determine rocks age what are this fossils called?

Geologists use fossils to determine the age of rocks through a process called biostratigraphy. They identify the specific group of fossils present in the rock layer, known as index fossils, that have a known age range. By comparing the index fossils to a geological time scale, geologists can estimate the age of the rock layer.


What is an organism used to identify a specific geologic time period called?

An organism used to identify a specific geologic time period is called an index fossil. Index fossils are used by geologists to narrow down the age of rocks and sediment layers based on the known age range of the fossil species.


Which correctly lists the three elements that geologists measure to determine the age of an organism’s remains?

Geologists measure the amount of carbon-14 present, the ratio of parent isotopes to daughter isotopes in radioactive decay, and the layers of rock surrounding the fossil to determine the age of an organism's remains.


How do geologists use the location of a fossil to determine its possible age?

Fossils record the history of changes to life on Earth. All theinformation we have from fossils is called the FOSSIL RECORDThe fossil record is important because it shows what types of animalsand plants lived on Earth hundreds of millions of years ago. Thefossil record also shows how life has changed over time. If you look atexposed layers of sedimentary rock from bottom to top, the fossils arelike a series of snapshots of how life has changed on Earth, from thedistant past near the bottom to more recent times near the top.


How can fossil correlation be used to determine the ages of rock layer?

dont care


How do fossils help geologists?

Geologists use fossils to interpret past environments, age rock layers, and understand the history of life on Earth. Fossils can provide information about the evolution of species, past climate conditions, and even the movement of continents over time. By studying fossils, geologists can reconstruct the Earth's history and better understand geological processes.


How could geologists use the fossil in rock layer b to date a rock layer in another location?

Geologists can use the fossil found in rock layer B as a biostratigraphic marker, which helps establish the relative age of rock layers in different locations. By identifying the same fossil in another rock layer, they can correlate the layers and infer that they were formed during the same geological period. This method relies on the principle that certain fossils, particularly index fossils, are characteristic of specific time frames in Earth's history. Thus, the presence of the same fossil allows geologists to date and compare rock layers across diverse geographical areas.


What are geologists able to tell archaeologists about fosis?

Geologists can provide archaeologists with insights into the formation and age of fossils, as well as the geological context in which they were found. They can analyze sedimentary layers to establish a timeline and understand the environmental conditions that influenced fossil preservation. Additionally, geologists can help identify the types of rocks and soils associated with fossil sites, aiding in the interpretation of past ecosystems and the behaviors of ancient organisms. This collaboration enhances the overall understanding of both geological and archaeological records.