GEOLOGY
STRATIGRAPHY
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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They can define the relative ages of rock layers.
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They can define the absolute ages of rock layers.
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They can define the climate that killed the organism.
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They can define the exact area in which the fossil formed.
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Detailed explanation-1: -Complete answer: The relative age of a rock can be determined if there is an index fossil present in the rock. A fossil must be widely distributed and it must also represent a type of organism that existed for a brief time period, if all these conditions are present then the fossil can be useful as an index fossil.
Detailed explanation-2: -A useful index fossil must be distinctive or easily recognizable, abundant, and have a wide geographic distribution and a short range through time. Index fossils are the basis for defining boundaries in the geologic time scale and for the correlation of strata.
Detailed explanation-3: -Index fossil a fossil that is used to establish the age of rock layers because it is distinct, abundant, and widespread and existed for only a short span of geologic time. Paleontologists can use index fossils to determine the relative ages of the rock layers in which the fossils are located.
Detailed explanation-4: -Index fossils are commonly used to match rock layers in different places (Figure below). If two rock layers have the same index fossils, then they’re probably about the same age. Using Index Fossils to Match Rock Layers. Rock layers with the same index fossils must have formed at about the same time.
Detailed explanation-5: -What characteristics of fossils are most useful in correlating sedimentary rock layers? Wide geographic distribution but limited to a particular rock formation. What makes a good index fossils? Have a wide spread of geographic information and existed only for a short period of time.