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Index fossils work similar to counting populations of living creatures. An increase or decrease in populations of certain creatures can provide clues to the climate and climate changes.

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What do geologist use index fossils for?

to date a rock layer and other fossils within that layer


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.


Explain how an index fossil can be used date rock.?

Index fossils are fossils of organisms that lived for a relatively short period of time but were widespread geographically. By identifying these index fossils in a particular layer of rock, scientists can determine the age of the rock and correlate it with other rock layers containing the same index fossils. This allows for the relative dating of rock layers based on the presence of specific 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 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 kind of rock layers did index fossil date?

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


Can fossils be used as index fossils?

Yes, index fossils are special fossils that act as geological tools enabling comparison in time of a range of geological units and environment. Normally, they are selected using certain attributes such as the fossil should be widespread, abundant, fast evolving, and independent of their environment.


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 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.


Why are index fossils more useful then other fossils to paleontologist?

Index fossils are useful to paleontologists because they are easily recognizable, widespread, and existed for a relatively short period of time. This allows scientists to date the rock layers in which they are found, helping to establish the relative ages of different strata. Additionally, index fossils help correlate rock layers from different locations, aiding in the reconstruction of Earth's history.


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.


How can fossils be used to date the rock in the strata?

Because index fossils are useful because they tell the relative ages of the rock layers in which they occur. They also tell what year they were made.