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depending on how deep the rock is in the ground tells scientists how old the rock is

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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 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.


Why are the oldest fossils sometimes not on the bottom layers of rocks?

Older fossils may not always be found at the bottom layers of rocks due to geological processes like folding, faulting, or erosion, which can disrupt the original order. In these cases, older fossils may be found at higher layers while younger fossils are found in lower layers.


Fossils are the key to matching rocks across large regions?

Fossils found in rocks can help scientists correlate and match rocks across different regions because specific types of fossils can provide information about the age of the rocks they are found in. By comparing the types of fossils in different rock layers, geologists can determine the relative ages of those rocks and create a timeline of events in Earth's history. This technique is known as biostratigraphy.


What two things did 19th century scientists do to determine the relative age of sedimentary rock all over the world?

They studied fossils and applied the principle that old layers of rock are below young layers! -

Related Questions

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


Which is an example of relative dating?

One example of relative dating is studying the layers of rock in a particular area. By analyzing the sequence of rock layers and the fossils within them, scientists can determine the relative ages of the rocks and the fossils they contain.


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.


What is the law of superposition and how does it help scientists learn about earth's past?

The law of superposition states that in a sequence of undisturbed rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest layers are at the top. By studying the order of rock layers and the fossils within them, scientists can determine the relative ages of the rocks and reconstruct the Earth's past environments and history.


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.


What type of rocks form in layers and have fossils in them?

sedimentary


Why are the oldest fossils sometimes not on the bottom layers of rocks?

Older fossils may not always be found at the bottom layers of rocks due to geological processes like folding, faulting, or erosion, which can disrupt the original order. In these cases, older fossils may be found at higher layers while younger fossils are found in lower layers.


Are fossils in rocks?

Yes, fossils are commonly found in rocks. Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms that are typically found in sedimentary rocks, where the conditions were suitable for their preservation over long periods of time. By studying fossils in rocks, scientists can learn about Earth's history and the evolution of life on our planet.


How index fossils can be used to determine the age of rocks?

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.


What is a scientist called who studies rocks and fossils?

Strictly speaking these are two differing types of scientists. Petrologists study rocks and paleontologists study fossils. However both these disciplines are covered in the broader training of a geologist.


Are sedimentary rocks characterised by having layers and fossils?

Yes


Why are sedimentary rocks useful to scientists'?

Mainly because the fossils of plants and animals preserved in the sediment layers allow dating of events that happened before humans existed.