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Index fossils can tell scientists if an animal or plant was alive in a certain period of time. They may also tell scientists what time period a certain rock layer formed.

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10y ago
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Index fossils are useful to geologists as they are distinctive fossils that can be used to date the age of rock layers based on their known age ranges. By identifying and studying index fossils in rock layers, geologists can determine the relative age of the rocks and establish a timeline of Earth's history. This helps geologists correlate rock layers across different locations and construct a more accurate geological history of an area.

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That geologists really have nothing better to do than study inanimate objects

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ANSWER: How old the rock layer is.

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size, shape and relative origin

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Q: What information can index fossils give geologists?
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How do the characteristics of an index fossil is useful to geologists?

Index fossils are fossilized remains of organisms that serve as convenient reference points to geologists because they were very widely distributed during a very short period. This means that, if a geologist is trying to figure out how old a certain segment of rock is, the presence of an index fossil will give him a very good idea to a pretty high level of certainty.Most index fossils are aquatic, especially mollusks. This is because (a) mollusks had shells, which are easily preserved, and (b) marine organisms generally fossilize easily because they often live on sand and so turn into sedimentary rock, which forms without volcanic activity (like igneous) or intense pressure (like metamorphic).One good example of an index fossil is Paradoxides, a species of trilobite that was distributed in seas all over the world, but only for a very small amount of time during the Cambrian Period, about 540 million years ago.


How the fossils can give us information about their specie?

Fossils can provide information about a species through their morphology, which includes features like size, shape, and structure. By comparing fossils to known species and studying their environment, scientists can make inferences about the behavior, diet, habitat, and evolutionary history of the organism. Additionally, isotopic analysis or DNA extraction from fossils can offer insights into the genetics and diet of the species.


What fossils can't tell us?

Fossils cant tell us the colour of the animal or plant which is fossilised fossils cant tell us the future of the year of 2013 whichwe both no is not gonna happen or u can go with her or his answer


What information can artifact and fossils provide?

Artifacts and fossils can provide valuable information about past human societies and environments. They can give insights into ancient technologies, social structures, and cultural practices. Fossils, on the other hand, provide evidence of past organisms and can help scientists understand evolution, biodiversity, and past climates.


How do fossils help explain the theories of evolution?

Fossils provide evidence of past life forms and how they have changed over time, supporting the idea of species evolving over generations. By studying fossils, scientists can track the evolutionary history of organisms, showing transitions between different species and providing insights into how life forms have adapted to changing environments. Overall, fossils help fill in the gaps in our understanding of how life on Earth has evolved.

Related questions

How are fossils used in determining the age of the Earth?

Index


What type of rock is most useful historical geologists?

Sedimentary rocks are most useful for historical geologists because they can contain fossils and provide information about past environments and the Earth's history. Sedimentary rocks also often preserve layers that can be used to determine the relative age of rock formations.


How do trace fossils differ from index fossils?

Trace fossils are any evidences that an organism existed, including footprints, trails, burrows, chemical marker, and fossilized dung.Index fossils are those that are only found in a specific range of geologic time, and are used to quickly determine the age of a sedimentary rock sample.


How do the characteristics of an index fossil is useful to geologists?

Index fossils are fossilized remains of organisms that serve as convenient reference points to geologists because they were very widely distributed during a very short period. This means that, if a geologist is trying to figure out how old a certain segment of rock is, the presence of an index fossil will give him a very good idea to a pretty high level of certainty.Most index fossils are aquatic, especially mollusks. This is because (a) mollusks had shells, which are easily preserved, and (b) marine organisms generally fossilize easily because they often live on sand and so turn into sedimentary rock, which forms without volcanic activity (like igneous) or intense pressure (like metamorphic).One good example of an index fossil is Paradoxides, a species of trilobite that was distributed in seas all over the world, but only for a very small amount of time during the Cambrian Period, about 540 million years ago.


Fossils give information about the earth ab origine?

at it's origin


Why are index Fossil helpful for performing relative dating?

Because they give us the best estimate of how old all the other fossils are in that sedimentary layer.


What is the definition of a map index?

map index: Graphic key primarily designed to give the relationship between sheets of a series, their coverage, availability, and further information on the series.


What characteristics do fossils have?

They are found in stone. They are created naturally. They give information about animals which lived a very long time ago.


What are the importance of fossils?

Fossils can be described as little traces of past life. They help in studying the history of the earth since they give important information regarding living things that were in existence and what may have caused their death.


How the fossils can give us information about their specie?

Fossils can provide information about a species through their morphology, which includes features like size, shape, and structure. By comparing fossils to known species and studying their environment, scientists can make inferences about the behavior, diet, habitat, and evolutionary history of the organism. Additionally, isotopic analysis or DNA extraction from fossils can offer insights into the genetics and diet of the species.


Where to turn fossils into Pokemon in Pokemon firered?

i think you have to give the fossils to the museum in pewter city


How the relative age of a fossil is determined by studying layers of rock?

Relative age of a fossil is determined by studying the position of the fossil in the rock layers. The principle of superposition states that in undisturbed layers of rock, the oldest rocks are found at the bottom and the youngest at the top. Fossils in lower layers are usually older than those in upper layers.