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a fossil found in rocks one time period

Index fossils are commonly found, widely distributed fossils that are limited in time span. They help in dating other fossils found in the same sedimentary layer. For example, if you find a fossil from an unknown era near a fossil from a known time, you can assume that the two species were from about the same 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.


A fossil that is used to date surrounding rock layers is?

This is called an index fossil.


What is fossils organisms that lived a short period of time called?

They are called index fossils.


What makes a species a good index fossil?

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.


What must be true for a fossil organism to be useful as a index fossil?

The absolute age of the index fossil was determine by radioactive dating or another absolute method


What two things make a fossil an index fossil?

hiii


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 the relative age of a fossil that can be determined by comparing it to an index fossil is called?

The relative age of a fossil that can be determined by comparing it to an index fossil is called biostratigraphic dating. This method relies on the known age range of the index fossil to estimate the relative age of the fossil being studied.


What is the fossil called that geologists use to determine rock ages?

Index Fossil


To be useful as an index fossil fuel spices must have existed for how long?

To be useful as an index fossil fuel, spices must have existed for about 1000 years.


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.


What characteristics must a fossil have to be useful as an index fossil?

An index fossil must be of a rapidly evolving organism that only existed for a specific period of time, is easily recognizable, is abundantly preserved, and was widespread geographically. Most index fossils are therefore of marine organisms.