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Geologists use index fossils to define and identify geologic periods.

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Guido Larkin

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βˆ™ 2y ago
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βˆ™ 4mo ago

Scientists use index fossils to help determine the relative age of rock layers. These fossils are known to have existed during a specific time period, allowing researchers to correlate layers of rock from different locations based on the presence of the same index fossil. This helps to create a timeline of Earth's geological history.

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βˆ™ 10y ago

Index fossils are the remains of organisms that lived during a very specific and well-defined time span, and are able to be recognized from various, distant locations; hence, they are usually marine invertebrates like trilobites or ammonites. They are able to provide a means of dating fossils found with them or in layers above and below them.

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βˆ™ 12y ago

to date a rock layer and other fossils within that layer

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βˆ™ 12y ago

Scientists use Index Fossils to help geologists match rock layers. In order for it to be useful, it mist be widely distributed and represent a type of organism that existed only briefly.

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βˆ™ 11y ago

determine a rock layer's absolute age.

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to help

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Q: What do scientists use index fossils for?
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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 fossil used to compare the relative ages of fossils?

An index fossil. An index fossil's age is known, allowing scientists to know the relative age of other fossils based on their position relative to the index fossil. (Ex. If a fossil is deeper in the earth, it is older than the index fossil)


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 do scientists use the fossil record for?

Recording fossils No.

Related questions

What do scientists use to mark boundaries in the geologic time scale?

I'm thinking it's index fossils because index fossils tell when or how old the layer it was found in. If that's what your asking.


To compare the relative ages of fossils scientists sometimes use an easily recognized species called?

To compare the relative ages of fossils, scientists use an early recognized species called an index fossil. An index fossil must have existed for a short period time and must have covered a wide geographical range.


Why did scientists use trilobites as index fossils?

Scientists used trilobites as index fossils because they were abundant, had a wide distribution, and had a relatively short existence in the fossil record. This made them useful for correlating rock layers from different locations and determining the relative ages of the rocks.


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 fossil used to compare the relative ages of fossils?

An index fossil. An index fossil's age is known, allowing scientists to know the relative age of other fossils based on their position relative to the index fossil. (Ex. If a fossil is deeper in the earth, it is older than the index fossil)


What is a an important tool scientists use to study the relative age of rocks?

Index fossils are used, and are of significant importance in finding the relative age of rock.


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.


How paleontologists use trilobite use fossils as index fossils for various geologic time periods?

yeah


What are index fossils and how are they used to determine the absolute age of sedimentary rock?

Index fossils are fossils of organisms that lived for a relatively short period and had a wide geographic distribution. By identifying these fossils in sedimentary rock layers, scientists can determine the relative age of the rock based on the known age range of the index fossil. Absolute age dating techniques, such as radiometric dating of igneous rocks that bracket the sedimentary layers containing the index fossils, are then used to determine the exact age of the sedimentary rock.


What evidence do scientists use to study the ancient dinosaur?

Scientists use mainly fossils.


What do geologist use index fossils for?

to date a rock layer and other fossils within that layer