Asked by justin
How do index fossils help scientists?
They aid in the study of ranges of different organisms.
They advance understanding of the origin of life on Earth.
They aid in comparison of rock layers at distant locations.
They advance understanding of rock type at the time the organism lived.
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Correct answers:
- They aid in the study of ranges of different organisms.
- They aid in comparison of rock layers at distant locations.
Why: index fossils are species that were widespread but existed for a relatively short geologic time, so they let geologists determine the relative age (range) of rock layers and correlate layers between distant locations. They do not by themselves reveal the origin of life, and while they can suggest depositional environment, they don’t directly determine the rock type.
- They aid in the study of ranges of different organisms.
- They aid in comparison of rock layers at distant locations.
Why: index fossils are species that were widespread but existed for a relatively short geologic time, so they let geologists determine the relative age (range) of rock layers and correlate layers between distant locations. They do not by themselves reveal the origin of life, and while they can suggest depositional environment, they don’t directly determine the rock type.
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