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An index fossil is used as an indicator of which era/epoch was preserved. The major characteristic necessary to be an index fossil include abundance, widely distributed, but lived for a short period of time.

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What is a tropites fossil?

A tropites fossil is a fossil of a tropites. A tropites is a genus of coiled ammonite. They only existed for about 20 million years, which makes it a good index fossil.


Why would polar bears not make good index fossils?

Polar bears would not make good index fossils because they have a relatively short geological lifespan, as they only evolved around 500,000 years ago. Additionally, their limited habitat in the Arctic makes them less widespread compared to organisms that thrived in diverse environments. For a fossil to be considered a good index fossil, it should represent a species that existed over a broad time frame and across various locations, which polar bears do not.


Would a shark tooth make a good index fossil Why or Why not?

It depends on how old the tooth is,but other than that,unless it's a rare shark,it wouldn't make a very good index fossil.


Describe how geologists use an index fossil and list the three characteristics of a good index fossil?

Geologists use index fossils to date the rock layers they are found in and to correlate similar rock layers in different locations. Three characteristics of a good index fossil are: widespread distribution, short duration in the geologic time scale, and easily recognizable features.


Why chronoperates paradoxus would not be a good index fossil?

they are only been found in a narrow geographic range


Which make a species a good intex fossil?

A good index fossil possesses several key characteristics: it must be easily identifiable, widespread across various geographic regions, and exist for a relatively short, well-defined time period. This allows geologists to correlate the age of rock layers across different locations effectively. Additionally, the species should have a hard part, like shells or bones, to enhance fossilization potential. These traits make index fossils valuable for establishing the relative ages of sedimentary rock layers.


Does mucrospirifer make a good index fossil?

Yes, Mucrospirifer is a good index fossil because it lived during a specific geologic time period, the Devonian period, and had a wide distribution across different regions. Its distinct shell morphology and abundance in the fossil record make it useful for correlating and dating rock layers.


Which fossil would most likely make the best index fossil?

A good index fossil is one of an organism that rapidly evolves and is widespread throughout a geologic time period or periods. This makes it useful in determining the age of the rock formation in which it is contained.


What makes a good index?

fossils that are common and are found in rare places on earth


Why can trilobites be used as index fossils?

Trilobites: The Index Fossil There are many thousands of known species of trilobite fossils found worldwide. Trilobites are considered to be good index fossils because they evolved so rapidly, and this allows geologists the ability to date the rocks in which the trilobites are found. The discovery of trilobites is second only to the discovery of dinosaurs, and new species of trilobites are still being discovered today.


What makes a fossil an index fossil?

fossils are preserved animals or plants. but index fossils are fossils have wide distribution,many of them,evolves rapidly, and very easy to recognize. Ammonites are index fossils. The fossils were made only in a certain short time period.


Will man one day be a good index fossil?

Perhaps, as we will likely be on earth a relatively short time, we are abundant and are wide spread geographically.